IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


11.25 


"  lis  IIIIIM 


1.8 


U    IIIIII.6 


V] 


<^ 


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'a 


>%. 


7 


Photograpliic 

Sdences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


c^- 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVI/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiquas 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


D 


D 


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Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommag^e 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaur6e  et/ou  pelliculie 


I      I    Cover  title  missing/ 


Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


r~1    Coloured  maps/ 


Cartes  gdographiques  en  couleur 


Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black!^ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  ^ue  bleue  ou  no.t'e) 


I      I    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 


Planches  et/ou  iliustrctions  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reli6  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  ser r6e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  int6rieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajout^es 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte. 
mais,  lorsque  cala  dtait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  filmias. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentairas  suppiimentaires: 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t4  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  ddtails 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-Atre  uniques  du 
point  de  VU9  bibliographique.  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  imft^e  reproduite.  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
mod:rication  dans  la  methods  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu6s  ci-dessous. 


□    Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 


D 
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v/ 


E] 
D 


0 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  fiimd  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqui  ci-dessous. 


Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommag6es 

Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaur6es  et/ou  pelliculAes 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  d^color^es,  tachet^es  ou  piqu6es 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d6tach6es 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 


The  c 
to  the 


The  ii 
possil 
of  th( 
filmir 


Origii 
begin 
the  la 
sion, 
other 
first  F 
sion, 
or  illt 


I      I    Quality  of  print  varies/ 


Quality  in6gale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  materii 
Comprend  du  materiel  suppl^mentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


I      I    Includes  supplementary  material/ 
I      I    Only  edition  available/ 


Thelj 
shall 
TINU 
whici 

Maps 

differ 

entire 

begin 

right 

requi 

meth 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc..  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata.  une  pelure. 
etc..  ont  M  filmies  A  nouveau  de  fa9on  A 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

n/ 

i 

12X 

16X 

20X 

24X 

28X 

32X 

I 

tails 
I  du 
odifier 
-  une 
mage 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

National  Library  of  Canada 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


L'exemplaire  film6  fut  reproduit  grdce  d  la 
gdn^rositd  de: 

Bibliothdque  nationale  du  Canada 


Les  images  si'*'"  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 

plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettet6  de  I'exempla're  filmd,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


18 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  —•^(meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  ccuverture  en 
papier  est  imprim^e  sont  film^s  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmds  en  commenpant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  —*-  signifie  "A  SUIVRE  ",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
film^s  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diffdrents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
repi'oduit  ')n  un  seul  clichd,  il  est  filmd  d  partir 
de  Tangle  supdrieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'imeges  ndcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mdthode. 


errata 
to 


I  pelure. 
}n  A 


D 


32X 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

MM 


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M  E  M  ()  I  K  S 


OF 


AN  AMERICAN  LADY: 


WITK    SKETriU>    OK 


MANNl^KS  AM)  ^^CEXES  IX  AMEKKJA, 


TiiKY  i;ki-tfd  I'UEVioi  s  to  the  RKVOLUrrOX. 
l',v   MKS.  ANNE  GllANT, 

AVTHOH  'IF  I  l'-n't:ns  FROM  TUF  MOUNTAIXi^,  .Sr. 

wini  .\ 

]\ii<:m<>ii'.  or  m  us.  (Ji;  a>;  r. 

r.Y  .lAMKS  (mJAN  T-WILSON. 


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tsjv,'\; 


ALBANY: 

JOEL    MUNSELL 

1876. 


I 


ma: 


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M  E IM  O  I K  S 


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or 


AN  AMERICAN  LADY: 


WITH    SKETfllKS   OK 


MANNP]RS  AND  SCENES  IN  A]\[ERICA, 


AS 


THEY  EXISTED  PREVIOUS  TO  THE  REVOLUTIOX. 


By  MRS.  ANNE  GRANT, 

AUTHOR  OF  LETTERS  FROM  THE  MOUNTAINS,  .C-c 


MEMOIR   OF  MRS.    GRANT, 


r>Y  JAIMES  GRANT  WILSON. 


5^^s^, 


ALBANY: 

JOEL    MUNSELL 

1816. 


L 


_./  /  rj 


./  /;/    r 


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•u 


THIS  VOLUME  IS  DEDICATED 
To 

MK.  AND  MRS.  J.  V.  u  PHUYN  OF  ALBANY, 

IN 

Memo„.o.,u,...vD„sat™kH«™ 
w 

SEPTEMUEK,  1875. 


i  C.I ' 


T 


v^ 


■\ 


I 

I 


P  R  E  F  A  C  E  . 


Mrs.  Grant's  ]\[emuirs  of  tin  Amcrieaii  Lmhi  has 
loiiy;  hocn  out  of  print,  and  it  is  tliou_<i;lit  by  many  tliat 
80  cliarniinu;  a  pR'turc  ot'Now  York  colonial  life  more 
than  a  ccMitury  ai^o,  kIiouIcI  not  ho  pcrmittod  to  pass 
away,  it  is  not  a  romanco  nor  a  tale  partly  founded 
on  reality,  hut  it  is  ai\  authentic  record  of  facts  —  a 
record  which  was  i!;reatly  admired  by  Francis  Jeifrcy, 
Robert  Southey,  Sir  Walter  Scott,  and  other  great 
heirs  of  fanu',  one  jf  whom  praised  the  description  of 
tlie  breaking  up  of  the  ice  in  the  upper  Hudson  "  as 
quite  Homeric." 

In  preparing  a  new  edition  of  this  genuine  picture  of 
our  ancestors  prior  to  the  changes  made  by  the  Revo- 
lution—  a  picture  which  Raulding  told  the  writer 
suggested  The  Dutchiiwi}'s  Fireside,  it  has  been  thought 
that  some  account  of  the  good  and  gifted  lady  to 
wliom  the  world  is  indebted  for  the  memoir  of 
Mrs.  Schuyler  would  be  acceptable,  and  that  the  por- 
trait of  the  author,  as  well  as  the  notes  kindly  con- 
tributed by  the  antiquarian  of  Albany,  who  publishes 
the  volume,  would  also  enhance  its  value. 

That  Mrs.  Grant  should,  in  respect  to  persons  and 
places,  have  made   some  slight  errors  in   her  admi- 


i^ 


ll 


Vlll. 


PllKFAfE. 


niblo  memoir  of  Mrs.  Sehuylor,  is  not  surprising;  the 
murvol  is  that  ho  fV'W  sliouM  apposir  in  her  pages, 
vvlien  it  is  ronienihered  that  tlie  work  was  written 
nearly  lialf  a  contury  after  tlie  oeeurrence  of  tlic  events 
(lescrilted,  entirely  from  memory,  and  tliat  too  the 
reeolleetions  of  a  cliild  l)etween  the  age  of  three  and 
tliirteen  !  Mrs.  Grant  liad  neitlier  tlie  aid  of  letters, 
a  diary,  or  data  of  any  dencription  in  the  jtreparation 
of  the  Memoir,  whieh  first  appeared  in  London,  in 
1808,  and  was  repul)li8]ied  in  this  eountry  during  the 
following  year.  The  last  of  the  numerous  editions 
printed  since  those  dates  in  tlie  new  world  and  old, 
was  issued  hy  the  Apph'tons  in  184G. 

J.  G.  W. 

New  York,  July,  1876. 


-i' 


I 


J 


MKiMOlU  OK  MKS.  (MIANT. 


Mrs.  AiiiH'  ( Jiaiit,  ('(iiiniioiily  slyli'tl  of  I,.'il;i;iiii,  to  (listiiij;uisli  licr 
from  licf  friend  iimi  coiilcinitoriiry  Mrs.  (Iriiiit  of  CiiiToii,'  wiis  lidrii 
at  (iIiisu,-o\v,  Fcliruarv ',M,  IT.").!.  Ilcr  fatlitr,  Ddiicaii  MacVicar,  who 
Ls  (Icscriltcd  as  a  plain,  liravc,  pious  man,  wasan  olllccr  in  a  Hi,L;li1aii(l 
rciiiincnt,  licr  motlicr  a  (Icsccndant  of  the  ancient  family  of  Stewart 
ol  Invernaliyle,  in  Aruyllsidre.  "  Tlie  only  jtartienlar,"  writes  Mrs. 
({rant,  "of  my  infantine  history  that  i  n  member  to  have  iieard  re- 
lated, tooU  plaei'  in  the  streets  of  (Jlasi^ow,  and  1  mention  it  to  show 
at  what  an  early  ai^e  children  observe  and  remember.  My  mother 
lived  in  the  eastern  extremity  of  tiie  town  :  1  snppose  she  often  spoko 
to  others,  |]i()u;:fii  not  to  me,  of  my  father  bein^in  Ameiicii,  and  mii^ht 
very  probably  point  westward  wheii  describing-  in  what  direction 
lii(!  ^'cir  W'orhl  lay  to  some  one  who  Unew  still  less  than  myself  of 
^eon'raphy.  l\v.  that  as  it  may,  I  certainly  set  oil'  oiu!  Sniulay  evening 
when  I  was  at  most  two  years  and  cinht  months  old,  and  walked  dc- 
llbcnitcly  ity  myself  very  neaily  a  mile  to  the  western  extremity  of 
the  Tror;4ate ;  how  much  Inriher  I  mii;ht  have  j;()nc  is  not  known. 
A  lady  lookin;;-  ont  of  a  window  saw  with  some  surprise  a  child 
neatly  dressed  in  white,  with  bare  head  and  arms,  walking  alone  and 
unntteudod  in  the  middle  of  the  street.  She  sent  for  me  nd  asked 
me  where  I  came  from.  I  said  '  mamma's  house  ;' I  could  tell  no 
more.  She  next  (picstioned  me  where  I  was  going.  I  answered  in 
my  imi)erl'ecl  nnmner  that  I  was  going  to  America  to  seek  pai)a."-' 

Soon  after  this  event,  ]\[rs.  MacVicar  and  her  daughter  .sailed  for 
the  New  World  and  settled  at  Clavcrack  on  tlie  Hudson,  where  her 
husband  was  stationed  with  a  party  of  Highlanders.  Here  Anne  was 
taught  to  read  by  her  mother,  and  learned  to  sj)eak  Dutch.  An  in- 
telligent sergeant  of  the  company  made  her  a  proficient  in  writing, 
and  observing  her  eager  thii  St  for  knowledge  presented  his  precocious 
little  pupil  with  an  ap'^ropriate  soldier's  gift  —  even  the  poem  of 
"Wallace  by  tlie  patriotic  Scottish  Ht)mer,  JJlind  Harry.  The  quaint 
and  almost  forirotten  lani!uaij;e  in  which  this  work  is  written,  as  well 


'  Anthor  of  Jfoi/'s  \V\j'e  of  Aldiralloch. 

'Mrs.  G:  ^nV s  Memoirs  and  C'otrettimidence,  London, 

2 


iai4. 


X. 


Memoir  of  Mrs.  Grant. 


as  its  obsolete  ortlioq;rapliy.,  would  have  made  it  a  sealed  book  to  the 
half  Scoltisii,  half  American  child,  had  it  not  been  for  tlie  kindness 
of  tile  sergeant,  who  taught  iur  to  dvcipher  Avordsand  to  undeistand 
tiie  meaning  of  the  ancient  minstrel.  From  this  source  she  in  i)art 
derived  that  cntiiusiastic  love  of  her  native  country  which  ever  after- 
wards was  a  distinguishing  featiu-e  in  her  character. 

In  17C0  MacVicar,  who  had  been  stationed  at  Oswego,  was  pent 
back  to  C^laverack  to  conduct  a  company  to  tlie  former  jilace.  Mis 
wife  and  daugliter  accompanied  the  detacliment  on  the  i)ictures(iue 
and  perilous  journey  ihrough  the  a  ■ilderness  to  Oswego,  concerning 
which  ]\Irs.  (Jrant  remarks  in  \\qv  Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady, '^'1 
am  convinced  that  I  thought  more  in  that  fortnight,  that  is,  acquired 
more  ideas  and  'ook  more  lasting  impressions,  than  ever  I  did  in  the 
same  space  of  time  in  my  life."  The  comn.andant  of  tlie  i>ost  was 
our  old  friend  Major  Duncan  of  Linidie,'  whose  portrait  is  given  in 
Cooper's  Pathjinder,  and  also  by  I\Iis.  Gi'ant,  wiio  describes  him  as 
an  e.\i)evienced,  humane,  judicious  yet  obstinate  officer,  and  some- 
viiat  of  a  lurnorist  withal. 

In  her  sixtli  year  Anne  \\a8  familiar  with  the  Old  Testament,  and 
read  Avilh  eagerness  and  pleasure  IMilton's  Pttrudise  ImhI,  a  poem  which 
has  daunted  so  many  youthful  leaders,  at  the  outset.  Her  talen's,  in 
the  summer  of  1702,  attracted  the  attention  of  iVIadaine  Schuyh^r  with 
whom  she  resided  at  Albany  for  several  years,  iccjuiring  uuring  her 
sojourn  among  her  hospitable  friends  an  additional  knowledge  of  the 
Dutch  language  at  that  day  much  spoken  by  many  of  the  best  ancient 
families. 

A  few  years  alter  the  conquest  of  Canada,  MacVicar  resigned  his 
position  in  tlie  army  and  became  u  settler  in  Veriiumt,  where  he  re- 
ceived a  grant  of  land  from  tiie  Britisli  govern'nent,  to  whi(;h  he 
made  large  additions  by  jiurchase  from  his  brother  officers.  While 
heic  his  worth  and  agreeable  manners  wim  for  him  am'  his  family 
the  esteem  of  all  the  neighboring  settlers.  His  career  of  prosperity 
was,  however,  interrupted  by  ill-health  and  low  spirits,  and  in  17(58  he 
decided  to  return  to  his  native  land.  Anne  acx'ompaiiied  her  parents, 
and  at  the  age  of  thirteen  siie  left  America  never  to  see  it  again. 
Unfortunately  for  MacVicar,  he  to.ik  his  departure  from  the  country 
without  disposing  of  his  property,  wliicli,  upcm  the  breaking  out  of 
the  levoiulionary  war  soon  after,  was  confiscated  by  the  new  repub- 
lican government.  He  was  therefore  comiielled  to  depend  chiefly 
upon  his  limited  pay  as  a  barrack  master  of  Fort  Augustus,  in  Inver- 


'  Atterwo.'ds  Colonel  Duiicun,  elder  brother  of  I.ord  Canipurdowu. 


-»tp»r 


4- 


Memoir  of  Mrs.  (jrant. 


XI. 


■(f»f 


»   r«.. 


ness-sliiro,  to  which  position  lie  liad  been  appointed  in  1773,  anil  his 
daugliter  was  no  longer  looked  npon  as  an  heiress. 

With  her  journey  from  (Jlasgow  to  tliat  place,  commences  tlie 
portion  of  I\Irs.  Grant's  correspondence  which  was  puhlisiied  under 
the  title  of  Letters  from  the  Mountdiitn.  On  the  first  evening  after  her 
arrival  at  tiie  fort,  she  met  the  Rev.  James  (trant,  tiie  military  ciiap- 
lain,  an  aeeomiilisiied  scholar,  connected  willi  some  of  the  lirsl 
fanuliesof  the  ilislrict.  Her  residence  at  Fort  Aui^nistus  was  termin- 
ated by  iier  marriage  to  this  gentleman  in  the  year  1779,  when  they 
removed  to  t lie  parish  of  Laggan,  in  Inverness  shire,  to  winch  ]\Ir, 
Grant  had  been  appointed. 

On  her  becoming  the  wife  (^f  a  Highland  clergyman,  Mrs.  Grant 
desired  to  aid  lier  husband,  but  a  ditlicidty  opposed  her  progress  at 
tiie  out  set.  Altliough  a  Mac  she  was  not  a  Highlander,  and  slie  did 
not  possess  tiie  most  essential  passjxirt  to  a  Higiiland  heart,  a  know- 
ledge of  their  language.  Undeterred,  iiowever,  by  an  obsi'ide  which 
few  Jjowlanders  have  ever  surmounted,  slie.  by  great  application,  soon 
acquired  a  sufticient  knowledge  of  Gaelic  to  converse  freely  with  the 
people  in  their  own  tongue.  With  the  ijeltic  language  sin;  studied 
the  manners  and  feelings  of  the  Higlila.iders,  and  was  soon  able  to 
identify  herself  with  the  people  among  whom  her  lot  was  cast ;  and 
they  on  their  part  a})preciated  these  kind  labors  of  a  stranger  with 
true  Highland  enthusiasm,  and  felt  that  she  was  their  own  country- 
woman in  heart  and  soul  as  well  as  in  tongue  and  lineage. 

Her  lines  had  fallen  in  pleasant  places.  In  the  simple  life  of  a 
secluded  Highland  parish,  many  happy  "'nl  tranquil  years  passed  in 
Laggan,  and  ^Irs.  Grant,  the  mother  of  twelve  children,  seemed  des- 
tined to  be  one  of  those  "  of  whom  Fame  speaks  not "  but 

"  Gentle  hciiils  rejoice 
Around  tlicir  Bteps  — till  Biluiitly  tliey  die." 

"The  circles  of  our  felicities,"  writes  Sir  Thomas  Bniwne,  "  make 
short  arches."  Who  shall  (piestion  the  wise  axiom  of  the  good  old 
knight  of  Norwich  ?  After  four  successive  deaths  in  her  family,  Mr. 
Grant,  who  was  constitutionally  delicat;',passed  away  in,theyear*l 801,' 
and  his  widow  was  left  with  eight  children  dependent  upon  her  ex- 
ertions, while  the  manse,  for  more  than  a  score  of  j'ears  her  happy 
home,  must  be  given  up  to  his  successor.  On  cxaniir.ii  g  their  affairs 
Mrs.  Grant  found  that  she  had  been  left  in   debt  to  a  considerable 


•The  writer  recently  visited  the  parish  of  Laggan  where  the  Rev.  James  Grant 
is  l)iiried,and  he  found  the  good  man's  memory  iiiid  ttmt  of  his  gifted  wife  were 
still  cherished  among  the  descendants  of  the  warmhearted  Highlanders,  who  were 
80  deeply  attached  to  them  during  their  tweuty-one  years'  residence  there. 


xn. 


Memoir  of  Mrs.  Grant. 


nmonnt,  tlic  scale  of  clericiil  and  IliijlihiiKl  liospifality  on  which  the 
l)oiisoh()ld  had  heen  conducted,  having  greatly  exceeded  the  amount 
of  lier  husband's  moderate  stipend. 

Among  her  many  friends  Mrs.  Grant  liad  long  heen  known  as  a 
rvriler  of  verses,  having  in  her  nin'.l'.  yar  essayed  imitation.!  of  Milton, 
and  composed  several  songs  and  poems  while  rcsiillng  on  the  banks 
of  the  CI}  de,  before  the  fandly  proc-eeded  to  Fort  Angiislus.  "  I  had 
early,''  sIk;  writes,  "  discovered  a  faculty  for  rhyming,  scarcity  worthy 
to  be  digiutied  with  the  name  of  poeiry.  but  easy  and  lluenl."  .Mrs. 
Grant  was  urged  to  collect  and  publish  these  productions  witli  a  view 
to  aiding  in  the  support  of  her  family,  and  as  an  inducenu'nt  three 
thousand  subscribers  were  speedily  obtained  under  the  patronage  of 
the  celebrated  Duciiess  of  Gordon,  one  of  whose  summer  seats  was 
at  Klnrara  near  Liiggaii.  Tn  \H0'.],  The  If''ihliiiul('r  aial  other  hnms 
ai>peared  in  a  well  printed  volume,  tlu'  profits  of  which  enabler  ^[rs. 
Grant  to  discharge  the  debts  whici  had  hung  most  heavily  oi;  her 
mind. 

Perceiving  from  the  success  of  her  poems  a  i)rospect  of  bi'tter 
maintaining  her  family  by  her  literary  elforts,  ]Mrs.  Grant  sorrow! nlly 
abandoned  the  small  farm  near  Laggan,  which  siie  had  leased  after 
licr  husband's  death,  and  removed  to  a  sequestered  spot  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Stirling.  Besides  her  owi)  family,  including  hei 
mother,  she  had  with  her  three  girls  from  the  West  Indi(s,wh()  were 
placed  under  her  care.  Her  ])ecuniary  resources  Avere  increased  by 
the  coi.ii)ensation  which  she  received  for  this  charge,  and  they  con- 
tinued to  be  so  from  a  similar  source  for  thirty  years.  Many  young 
ladies  were  successively  inmates  of  her  family.  The  number  was 
usually  restricted  to  three  or  four,  ami  the  dee))  interest  she  fell  in 
them  and  the  allection  which  they  retained  for  her  contributed  greatly 
to  \\(y  ha{)piness.  The  benefit  which  Mrs.  Grant  was  expected  to 
atl'ord  the  innuites  of  her  household  was  chieHy  in  forming  their 
mind  and  manners,  and  at  a  later  period  an  introduction  into  the 
Edinburgh  society  in  which  she  moved.  Among  her  man}'  pupils 
was  the  mother  of  the  present  Duke  of  Argyll,  and  the  late  Mrs. 
Douglas  Cruger'  of  New  York,  with  Vihom  she  maip.tained  for  nmny 
years  a  correspondence  terminated  only  by  her  death.  On  on(!  oc- 
casion fne  latter  came  down  laie  to  breakfast  <o  Mrs.  CJrant's  great 
annoyance,  as  she  was  fond  of  punctuality  and  show  vil  her  displeasure 
liy  not  spcidving.     By  way  of  atoning  for  lier  fault  the  young  lady, 

'  Sir  John  Watson  Gordon'e  portriiitof  Mrs.  Grant,  pcrliape  tfie  bcftiii  exiutence, 
Avas  painted  for  Mr;'.  Criigor,  and  by  her  lieirs  presented  in  1870  to  her  daughter- 
in-law,  Mrs.  John  V.  Grant,  of  Ediaburgh. 


V 


1 


Memoir  of  Mks.  Grant. 


Xlll. 


•*.■» 
I 


then  ]\Iiss  D()U!,^Ias,  oncleavored  to  bo  very  airrocable,  and  to  engage 

]\Irs.  CJrant  in  conversation,  Avhen  tlie  old  lady  a*  lengtli  said, 

"  If  I  make  i\  leniark. 
It  will  be  ol't'.io  lark." 

In  180(1,  Mrs.  ({rant's  second  work  was i)iil)lished  by  the  Longmans 
of  London,  entitled  fjltcrxfrom  the  Momif'iiii",  which  iiad  1  ccn  written 
chiclly  to  her  correspondents  from  the  munse  during  a  long  series  of 
years.  They  were  so  fnll  of  Highland  scenery,  character  and  legends, 
expressed  in  the  happiest  style  of  epistolary  composition,  that  even 
with  the  omission  of  wliatever  wa.s  private  or  of  a  ennfidential  clui- 
racter,  they  proved  exceedingly  poinilar  and  rai)idly  i)assed  through 
several  editions.  "  No  person,  I  believe,"  wrote  ^Irs.  Grant,  "  was  so 
astonished  at  their  succes!;  as  myself;"  auti  when  another  three  hun- 
dred jtounds  was  received  for  the  second  edition  she  said:  "  I  calcu- 
late and  wonder  at  my  own  "wealth."  As  pleasant  illustrations  of 
the  deep  interest  fell  in  the  letters  and  their  writer,  it  may  be  men- 
tioned that  tliree  wCidthy  Scotch  merchants  of  London,  with  Mhom 
Mrs.  Gratit  had  no  previous  acquaintance,  sent  her  a  ])resent  of  three 
lumdred  jjounds,  and  through  the  exertions  of  Miss  Lowell  of  Boston 
and  a  few  otiier  ladies,  also  uid<nown  Ic  Mrs.  (irant,  an  American 
edition  of  her  LittcvK  fnnii  (lie  JJoiiiidiiiixwun  published  in  that  city, 
and  three  innulred  pounds  was  remitted  to  her  as  the  i)roceeds.' 

jNIrs.  Grant's  best  known  work  begun  in  1H07  at  the  age  of  titty-two, 
and  issued  l)y  her  friends  the  Messrs.  Longman  in  the  year  following, 
is  entitled  Meiiifirs  of  mi  Ainevicdu  Ijnhj.  It  consists,  in  addition  to 
her  youthful  recollections  of  Madam  Mar^arila  Schuyler,  who  mar- 
ried her  cousin.  Col.  Philip  Schuyler- of  Albany,  of  d"'".'rii)|ions  of 
ihc  simple  manners  of  the  descendants  (»f  the  Dutch  settlers,  ski'tches 
of  th(^  history  of  New  York,  and  anecdotes  of  the  Indians.  What 
did  n(»t  fall  wit'.nu  her  own  persona^  experiences  as  a  child  she  ap- 
pears to  have  gleaned  from  the  conversation  of  !Mrs.  Schuyler  and 
others,  and  sin;  seems  to  have  forgotten  nothing  ;  for  the  quick-witted 
ch'ld  had  an  observant  e\e  and  a  mind  like  IMaeaidey's,  which  was 
"  Wax  to  recoivi;  and  innrl)l(j  to  rulaiii.'" 

The  v(iUime  concludes  with  two  chapters  of  General  RellectioiiH, 
ill  which  ]\L's.  Grant,  who  was,  like  Mrs.  Schuyler,  u  staunch  and  true 


'  'rtiis  kind  act  was*  constimniated  through  tlie  otiorts  of  Miss  Lowell,  whose 
brother  Jolin  Lowell,  Jr.,  l)ecaineac(i(iainted  with  Mrs.  (irant  (inrini,'his  residence 
ofsoverril  yeans  in  Kilinbui^rli,  and  let!  her  a  legacy  of  live  tli()iit;and  (lollarBasamark 
of  aft'ivtionate  veneration  for  her  character. 

*The  dislingiiislied  revolutionary  ., 'Mierul  of  the  name  name  was  a  nephew  of 
Mrs.  Schuyler. 


XIV. 


Memoir  of  Afiis.  Grant. 


Tory,  indulges  in  lugubrious  propliecics  of  the  niorul,  social  and  in- 
tellectual future  of  the  country.  "  What  the  loss  of  the  Huguenots," 
she  remarks,  "  was  to  commerce  and  manufactures  in  France,  that 
of  (he  loyalists  was  to  religion,  literattu'c  and  amenity  in  America." 
My  excellent  godmother  should  have  lived  to  see  our  Centennial 
year  1S7(I.  A  second  edition  of  the  Avork  ajipeaicd  in  180!),  and  was 
repiinted  the  same  year  in  ]}oston  and  in  ^New  York.  Other  editions 
we  may  mention  appeared  in  the  latter  city  in  IK5G  and  184(5,  while 
a  third  edition  was  piibiislied  in  London  in  1817. 

I)e  (^uincey  accidentally  cncotmtcrcd  i\Irs.  (iraiit  and  (me  of  her 
beautiful  daughters  in  a  stage-coach  soon  after  \\w  Mditoirx  of  an 
Atiuriritn  Litdij  first  appeared.  The  charms  of  the  daughter  of  course 
were  not  lost  upon  the  enthusiastic  tem])erameni  of  the  opium  eater; 
but  the  conversation  of  the  mother  seems  to  have  impressed  him 
mor(^  deeply.  In  his  Lilcnuy  Remiinsceiict'K,  written  many  years  later, 
he  tells  us  with  much  feeling:  "  llcr  kindness  to  me  was  particularly 
nattering,  and  to  this  day  I  retain  the  impression  of  the  benignity 
which  she  —  an  establisiied  wit  and  just  then  receiving  incense  from 
all  quarters  —  showed  in  her  manners  tome  —  a  person  wholly  un- 
known." In  a  newly  published  volume  '  we  also  obtain  occasicmal 
glimjjses  of  Mm.  Grant.  The  author  makes  the  following  record  at 
the  time  of  the  visit  of  George  the  Fourth  to  Edinburgh.  "  Mrs.  Grant 
of  Laggan,  a  great  lover  of  kings,  was  of  our  i>arty.  The  good  old 
lady  had,  for  this  joyous  occasion,  put  olf  her  habitual  black  dress  and 
robed  herself  in  a  salmon-colored  satin,  and  with  the  rest  of  the  party 
waved  her  handkerchief  as  the  king  appeared.  They  all  had  a  good 
laufjh  at  my  expense,  who  somewhat  notorious  for  being  no  lover 
of  kings,  was  actually  detected  shedding  tears  and  waving  my  hand- 
kerchief, '  like  the  lave,'  as  the  pageant  passed." 

In  1810  Mrs.  Grant  removed  to  Edinburgh,  and  her  residence  there 
was  frequented  by  Lord  Jeffrey,  Sir  Walter  Scott,  Henry  Mackenzie, 
and  other  nuignates  of  the  Scottish  literary  world.  The  year  follow- 
ing she  published  her  Enn(ii/s  on  the  Snperntition>i  of  the  Highlanders, 
a  work  full  of  enthusiasm  for  the  character  of  the  people  among  whom 
she  so  long  resided.  So  conspicuous  was  her  preeminence  in  Gaelic 
literatui'.'  by  her  beautiful  translations,''  and  by  her  knowledge  of  the 
people,  that  IIk;  earliei  volumes  of  the  Waveily  Hovels  were  frequently 
attributed  to  her  pen. 

Eightren  Hundred  and   Thirteen,  a  metrical  work,  appeared  in 


iiixM 


'  Mrs.  Fletchers  Autobiography. 

*  Vide  The  Poets  and  Poetry  of  Scotland,  Harpers,  1876. 


..■^iWliiiinifitriWiaHtr' 


Memoir  of  Mrs.  Grant. 


XV. 


i»sb*> 


I 


1814,  followed  bj  her  last  literary  production,  ontitled  Popular  Models 
and Imprcsm-c  Warningsfor  the  S()ti8n?id  Davyhtem of  Tnduftt)-y,  which 
was  published  in  1815.  During  the  interval  of  twenty-three  years 
betweeen  the  publication  of  the  last  volume  and  her  death,  Mrs. 
Grant's  literary  labors  were  no  longer  necessary  for  her  support,  but 
were  taken  up  as  recreation.  They  were  confined  chieily  to  the  com- 
position of  occasional  verses,  and  to  translations  from  the  Gaelic. 
For  one  of  tiiese,  a  production  of  singular  elegance  and  pathos,  she  in 
1824,  received  the  gold  medal  of  the  Highland  society.  Her  last 
poetical  lines  were  written  on  her  eighty-third  birthday; 

"  When  all  my  cnrthly  treasures  fled, 
And  tjriel' bowed  down  my  droopinj^  head, 
Mor  faith,  nor  hope,  nor  comfort  lied. 
From  bright  abodes  of  peaee  and  love 
New  strength  descended  from  above. 
To  cheer  me  like  the  patriarch's  dove. 
Now,  though  bereft  of  motion's  powera, 
I  pass  no  more  through  groves  and  flowers. 
But  moveless  waste  the  languid  hours, 
While  still  iho  ethereal  spark  divine. 
And  inianory's  ample  store  are  mine, 
I  :n!ither  suffer  nor  repine. 
But  wait  serene  the  final  hour, 
Appointed  by  that  Gracious  Power, 
Who  while  those  vials  seemed  of  wrath. 
Shed  countless  hlessings  on  my  path." 

No  important  events  varied  the  even  tenor  of  jMrs.  Grant's  life  or 
circumstances  till  the  year  1820,  when  she  met  with  an  unforttmate 
fall  which  produced  permanent  lameness,  so  that  ever  afterwards  she 
was  unable  to  move  about  without  crutches.  Five  years  later  she 
received  from  the  British  government  a  pension  of  £100,  in  considera- 
tion of  her  literary  talents,  which,  with  the  profits  of  her  writings, 
the  emolument  from  her  pupils,  and  several  legacies  from  friends, 
rendercid  her  life  free  from  j)ecuniary  cares. 

In  1827,  her  long  series  of  domestic  sorrows  terminated  in  the  loss 
of  her  only  surviving  daughter  Mary,  a  pure  and  lovely  character. 
A  friend  who  visited  her  at  this  period  wrote:  "It  was  delightful  lo 
find  you  in  old  age,  after  such  severe  trials,  so  supjiorted  and 
strengthened  by  the  power  of  God  —  not  resigned  merely,  possessing 
not  the  calm  benevolence  of  age  alone;  but  all  the  kinder  feelings 
in  their  freshness  and  fiower,  which,  beautiful  as  they  are  in  youth, 
become  so  much  more  deei)ly  interesting  when  we  know  that  care 
and  sorrow  have  had  no  power  to  with-'r  them,  and  that  they  will 
soon  form  part  of  that  crown  of  glory  which  fadeth  not.  If  wc 
could  have  forgotten  the  blessings  which  God  has  for  a  time  takeu 


XVI. 


Memoir  of  Mrs.  Grant. 


to  himself  and  is  rcsorviiii?  for  j'ou  in  liis  keeping,  wc  might  have 

thought  of  j-ou  only  as  one, 

'•  Whose  clii'erl'ul  day  benevolence  CDtlearH, 
Whose  nifjht  congratulatiiiij  conHcience  eheerw, 
The  ^'cnenil  fiivoiite,  as  the  j,'enerul  fiiend." 

^Irs.  (tranl  survived  her  daughter  nearly  eleven  years,  and  to  the 
last  iier  sympathies  remained  unehilled,  and  she  continned  to  find 
pleasure  in  her  converir-ational  jiarlies,  as  well  as  in  receiving  visitors, 
those  from  Ameriea  heing  always  most  warmly  welcomed.  When 
my  liitiier  saw  her  lor  the  last  time  she  was  little  ciiangcd  in  apj.ear- 
ance  from  what  her  i)orlrait  painted  eight  years  i)revious,  and  from 
which  our  engraving  is  taken  represent  her,  and  was  iiusily  knitting 
Willi  two  volumes  lying  open  before  her  in  such  a  manner  that  she 
could  turn  to  either  and  read,  without  interrui>ting  her  accustomed 
work  —  when  she  remarked,  "  Willie,  1  should  not  feel  any  sorrow  if  I 
\veredc|irived  of  all  other  hooks.  'I'hese  will  sutlicc  for  my  few  remain- 
ing day.s."  aMrs.  (Jranl's  comi)anions  were  her  Bible  and  Shake- 
si)eare.  She  died  at  her  residence  in  ."Manor  Place,  Edinburgh, 
iSoveml)er  7,  1H;]S,  retaining  her  faculties  imimjiaircd  to  the  last,  antl 
so  gradually  did  her  life  de])art  tiiat  it  may  truthfully  be  said  of  her 
in  the  words  of  the  poet  : 

"or no  disieiniX'T.  of  no  blast  she  died. 
Hut  fell  like  .Auliinui  I'niil,  Ihut  mellowed  Umg, 
Kven  wondered  ar  because  she  I'ell  no  sooner. 
Fate  seenuid  to  wind  her  up  I'or  fourscore  years. 
Yet  Ireslily  ran  she  on  lour  summers  more. 
Till,  like  a  clock  worn  out  in  rating  time. 
The  wheels  of  weary  life  at  last  stood  still." 

In  a  letter  announcing  Mrs.  Grant's  death  to  my  father,  her  son 
says:  "  .My  mother  was  entirely  exempted  from  pain  or  suffering  of 
any  kind,  luidily  or  mental,  and  she  at  last  apj)ea"ed  to  expire  in  a 
gentle  sluinb(a',  leaving  her  features  in  the  sweetest  composure  and 
confirming  the  assurance  she  gave  us  almost  to  the  last  that  she 
suffered  no  pain.  ll<'r  calmness  and  tranquility  in  the  prospect  of 
death  were  what  might  have  Ix'en  expected  from  h(!r  firm  and  blame- 
less life,  and  above  all  from  her  humble  confidence  in  the  i)ardoning 
mercy  of  God  through  the  merits  of  our  great  Intercessor." 

Mrs.  Grant  was  buried  beneath  the  shadows  of  the  stately  castle 
of  Edinburgh,  in  what  is  known  as  the  Auld  West^Kirk,  and 
near  her  last  resting  [liace  is  the  grave  of  Thomas  Detjuincey.  Fnmi 
her  tombstone  we  recently  copietl  the  following  inscription  : 


«< 


■».mi'..Li(li!'JJig!iJliia![> 


AIemoik  of  Mrs.  Grant. 


xvii. 


■*»-^ 


I'l 


Sacred  to  the  memory  of 
Mrs.  Anne  Graat, 
Widow  of  the  Rev.  Jiimes  Grant  of  Laggan 
In  the  County  of  Inverness, 
"Who  died  at  Edinburgh, 
7th  November,  18;58, 
aged  83. 
Endowed  with  the  extraordinary  energy  of  mind 
Her  writings 
Illustrate  the  associations  and  scenes 
Of  her  eventful  lite. 
Her  eminent  virtues  adorned  its  relations. 
Her  Ciuistian  faith  and  fortitude  sustained 
Its  many  severe  afflictions 
In  humble  submission  to 
The  Will  of  God. 


m^ 


Her  numerous  family  of  children, 

for  whom  she  made 

Most  meritorious  and  successful  exertions, 

was  by  the  will  of  a  mysterious  providence 

All  cut  off  before  herself 

except  him  who  has  made 

This  Memorial 
Of  his  love  and  veneration. 

"  Mrs.  Grant,"  remarks  Lord  Cockburn,'  one  of  her  Scottish  con- 
temporaries, "  was  a  tall  dark  woman  of  very  considerable  intellect, 
great  spirit,  and  the  warmest  ben(!Volence.  Her  love  of  individual 
whigs,  particularly  of  JoH'rcy,  in  spite  of  her  amusing  iiorror  of  their 
principles,  was  honorable  to  the  heart.  She  was  always  under  the 
inllue  ice  of  an  atl'ectionatc  and  delightful  enthusiasm,  which  un- 
quenched  by  time  or  sorrow,  survived  the  wreck  of  many  domestic 
attachments  and  shed  a  glow  over  the  close  of  a  very  protracted  life. 
Both  she  and  Mrs.  Hamilton-  were  remarkable  for  the  success  of 
their  literary  conver.sational  gatherings.  Their  evening  parties  had 
the  greater  merit  from  the  smallness  of  their  houses  and  of  their 
means." 

At  the  age  of  three  score  and  ten  Mrs.  Grant  began  a  sketch  of 


1  Memorials  of  Ills  Time,  by  Henry  Cockburn,  London,  1856. 
^Author  of  Cottagers  of  Olenburnie. 

3 


I    I 


/ 


XVlll. 


Memoir  of  Mrs.  Grant. 


lier  life,  wliioh  contains  a  rapid  view  of  the  principal  incidents  of  her 
career  from  her  birth  down  to  1806,  leaving  the  story  of  the  last 
thirty  years  of  her  long  and  uneventful  life  to  be  told  by  another. 
This  was  lovingly  done  by  her  only  surviving  (thild,  .John  P.  Grant, 
W.  S.,'  who  in  1844  issued  a  collection  of  her  letters  with  a  memoir,  in 
three  volumes.  Revised  editions  of  this  delightful  work  appeared  in 
"1845  and  185.'},  also  from  the  press  of  the  Longmans  of  London.  A 
writer  who  was  well  acquainted  with  Mrs.  Grant,  remarks  in  a  notice 
of  the  work,  that  "  she  was  a  woman  of  extraordinary  ^ood  sense, 
and  of  uncommon  powers  of  mind  ;  whose  letters,  embracing  a  wide 
variety  of  subjects,  are  as  truly  vuhiable  as  those  of  any  other  writer, 
and  likely  to  be  of  as  i)ermanent  interest,  and  to  afford  as  lasting 
gratification  ;  but  especially  of  a  woman  of  great  strength  of  character, 
formed  by  religious  principle  and  penetrated  by  religious  sentiment, 
the  vital  principle  of  whose  moral  being  was  faith  in  God  and  immor- 
tality, whose  symi)athiey  were  warm  and  dilFusive,  and  who  was  full 
of  disinterested  kindness." 

We  would  gladly  quote  several  passages  from  unpublished  letters 
in  our  possession  addressed  to  the  late  William  Wilson  and  his  wife, 
by  Mrs.  Grant,  who  gave  her  husband's  name  to  their  eldest  son,  and 
also  some  marked  extracts  from  the  jiublished  correspondence ;  but 
as  the  chorus  to  Henry  the  Fifth  remarks  —  "  time,  numbers  and  due 
course  of  things  cannot  be  here  presented."  Two  good  stories  how- 
ever Ave  must  quote,  one  of  a  very  handsome  and  fashionable  young 
gentleman  whom  Mrs.  Grant  did  not  know,  who  crossed  a  crowded 
drawing  room,  seized  her  hand  and  kissed  it,  "  thirty  years  and  up- 
wards," she  says,  "  alter  anybody  had  thought  of  kissing  my  hand," 
and  expressed  to  her  the  feeling  which  her  poem,  The  Highlanders, 
had  awakened  in  him.  The  young  stranger  proved  to  be  Col.  D'Este, 
son  of  the  Duke  of  Sussex  by  his  nuirriage  with  Lady  ivugusta  Murray. 
^Irs.  Grunt  continues,  "I  must  not  omit  an  anecdote  better  than  my 
own  about  kissing.  A  young  lady  from  England,  very  ambitious  of 
distinction  and  thinking  the  outrageous  admiration  of  genius  was 
neaily  as  good  as  the  possession  of  it,  was  presented  to  Sir  Walter 
Scott,  and  had  very  nearly  gone  through  ihe  regular  form  of  swooning 
sensibility  on  the  occasion.  Being  afterwards  introduced  to  Mr. 
Henry  Mackenzie,  she  bore  it  better  and  kissed  his  hand  in  admiring 
veneration.  It  is  worth  telling  for  the  sake  of  ]Mr.  Scott's  conmient. 
He  said, '  did  you  ever  hear  the  like  of  that  English  lass,  to  faint  at 


'  Mr.  Grant  died  Dec.  15,  1870,  leaving  a  widow  and  four  children,  two  of  whom 
are  sous  in  the  service  of  the  British  government. 


t 


1' 


na 


■rjiiin'rin  'mmmmmmm 


Memoir  of  Mrs.  Grant. 


XIX. 


the  si/^ht  of  a  cripple  clerk  of  session  and  kiss  the  dry  withered  hand 
of  an  old  tux  t,'atlierer' "  ' 

We  cannot  better  conclude  this  brief  memorial  of  Mrs.  Gront  than 
witii  the  words  of  8ir  Walter  Scott,  who  thus  characterizes  her  pro- 
ductions :  "  Her  literary  works,  although  coin])osed  amidst  misfortune 
and  privation,  are  written  at  once  witlisinii)licity  and  force,  and  uni- 
formly bear  the  stamp  of  a  virtuous  and  courageous  mind,  recom- 
mending to  the  reader  tiiat  patience  and  fortitude  wliidi  the  writer 
herself  practiced  in  such  an  eminent  degree.  Her  writings,  deservedly 
popular  in  her  own  country,  derive  tiicir  success  from  the  happy 
manner  in  wbicli,  addressing  themselves  to  the  national  pride  of  tlie 
Scottish  i"-ople,  they  breathe  a  spirit  at  once  of  iiatriotism  and  of  tliat 
candor  wiiich  renders  patriotism  unselfish  and  liberal.  We  have  no 
hesitation  in  attesting  our  belief  that  ]\Irs.  Grant's  writings  liave  pro- 
duced a  strong  and  salutary  effect  upon  iier  countrymen,  who  not 
only  found  recorded  in  them  much  of  national  history  and  antiquities 
which  would  otherwise  have  been  forgotten ;  but  found  them  com- 
bined with  the  soundest  and  best  lessons  of  virtue  and  morality." 

Jab.  GiiANT  Wilson. 
JVeto  York,  July,  1876. 


Mackenzie  held  tlie  office  of  comptroller  of  taxes  for  Scotland. 


£l 


I 


TO  THE  RKJllT  HONORABLE 


SIR  WILLIAM  GRANT,  KNT., 


MASTER  OF  THE  ROLLS. 


I 


Sir; 

It  is  very  probable  tliut  tbu  fViciuls,  by  wbosc  solicit- 
ations I  was  induced  to  arran_t::e  in  tbe  i'ollowing 
pages  my  early  recollections,  studied  more  the  amuse- 
ment I  should  derive  from  executing  this  task,  than 
any  pleasure  they  could  expect  from  its  completion. 

The  principal  object  of  this  work  is  to  record  the 
few  incidents,  and  the  numy  virtues,  which  diversified 
and  distinguished  the  life  of  a  most  valued  friend. 
Though  no  manners  could  be  more  simple,  no  notions 
more  primitive  than  those  which  prevailed  among  her 
associates,  the  stamp  of  originality  with  wdiich  they 
were  marked,  and  the  peculiar  circumstances  in  which 
they  stood,  both  w4th  regard  to  my  friend,  and  the 
infant  society  to  which  they  belonged,  will,  I  flatter 
myself,  give  an  interest  with  reflecting  minds,  even 
to  this  desultory  narrative ;  and  the  miscellany  of 
description,  observation,  and  detail,  which  it  involves. 

If  truth  both  of  feeling  and  narration,  which  are  its 
only  merits,  prove  a  sufticient  counterbalance  to  care- 
lessness, laxity,  and  incoherence  of  style,  its  promi- 


'T 


X  X  1 1 . 


TNSt'UIPTlON. 


nciit  limltrt,  I  may  v«!iit,iir»'  to  iiivilo  you,  wlicii  you 
iiiiliciid  from  tlic  UH<'ful  iiiid  lioiioi'iildc  laltopH  to  wliicli 
your  valuiiMc  tinu!  in  (hivotod,  to  tnicc  tliis  t'l'd)!*-  dc- 
rmcation  of  ill!  rxcc'll«'i)t,  tliouu'li  iiiu'iiilx'HislM'd  cliu- 
ractcr;  and  of  tlic  rajiid  paci' with  wliidi  an  infant. 
Kooii'ty  luiH  urged  on  its  progiH'HS  from  virtuous  sim- 
plicity to  \hv.  dangerous  "  knowledge  of  good  and 
evil,"  from  tremulous  imboeility  to  Holf-HulHciunt  indo- 
peiuleuoe. 

To  1)0  faitliful,  a  <l('lin('ation  must  necessarily  ])c 
minute.  Yet  if  tliis  sketcli,  witli  all  its  imperfections, 
be  honored  by  your  indulgent  perusal,  such  conde- 
scension of  time  and  talent  must  certainly  be  admired, 
and  may  perhaps  be  imitated  l)y  others. 
I  am,  Sir,  very  respectfully, 

Your  faithful  humble  servant, 

The  Author. 

London,  October,  1808. 


14^ 


— 'r* 


■fT 


I 


AJm 


MEMOIRS 


or 


AN   AMERICAN    LADY. 


INTRODl'CTIOX. 


I  (> 


Dear  Sru, 

vJTIIKliS  as  well  as  you  liavu  cxjirosst'd  a  wisli  to  hcc  a 
mciiioii-  of  my  earliest  and  inoHt  Viiliiahle  friend. 

To  gratify  you  and  tliem  I  feel  many  indueements,  and 
see  many  objections. 

To  e(»m]»ly  with  any  wisli  of  your's  is  one  strong  induce- 
ment. 

To  |)lease  niy.self  witli  the  recollection  of  ]»ast  haiipiness 
and  departed  Avorth  is  anothi-r  ;  and  to  benefit  those  into 
wliose  liands  this  imj)erfect  sketch  may  fall,  is  a  third. 
For  the  authentic  record  of  an  exemplary  life,  thougli  de- 
livered in  the  most  unadorned  numner,  or  even  degraded 
by  poverty  of  style,  or  uncoutlmess  of  narration,  lias  an 
attraction  for  tlie  uncorrupted  mind. 

Tt  is  the  rare  lot  of  sonu'  exalted  diaracters,  l)y  the  united 
power  of  virtue  and  of  talents,  to  soar  above  their  fellow- 
mortals,  and  leave  a  luminous  track  behind,  on  which  suc- 
cessive ages  ga/e  A'ith  wonder  and  delight. 

But  the  sweet  influence  of  these  benign  stars,  that  now 
and  then  enlighten  the  page  of  history,  is  partial  and  un- 
frequent. 

They  to  whom  the  most  important  parts  on  the  stage  of 


24 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


life  are  allotted,  if  possessed  of  abilities  undirected  by  virtue, 
are  too  often 

"  Wise  to  no  purpose,  artful  to  no  end," 

that  is  really  good  and  desirable. 

They,  again,  where  virtue  is  not  sujtported  by  wisdom, 
are  often,  with  tiie  best  intentions,  made  subservient  to  the 
short-sighted  craft  of  the  artful  and  designing.  Hence, 
though  we  may  be  at  times  da/./ied  with  the  blaze  of  heroic 
achievement,  or  contemplate  Avith  a  [)urer  satisfaction  those 
"awful  fathers  of  mankind,"  by  whom  nations  weie  civil- 
ized, e(|uital)le  donunion  established,  or  liberty  restored  : 
yet,  r^'ter  all,  the  crimes  and  miseries  ot  mankind  form  such 
prominent  features  of  the  history  of  every  country,  that 
humanity  sickens  at  the  retrospect,  and  misanthropy  tinds 
an  excuse  amid  t  the  laurels  of  the  hero,  and  the  deep-laid 
schemes  of  the  politician  : 

"  And  yet  this  partial  view  of  thinpfs 
Is  surely  not  the  best."  —  Bu^'iis. 

Where  shall  we  seek  the  antidote  to  this  chilling  gloom 
left  on  the  miml  by  these  bustling  intricate  scenes,  where 
the  best  characters,  goaded  on  by  furious  factions  or  dire 
necessity,  become  involved  in  crimes  that  their  souls  abhor? 

It  is  the  contemplation  of  the  peaceful  virtues  in  the 
genial  atmosphere  of  i)rivate  life,  that  can  best  reconcile  us 
to  our  nature,  and  (piiet  the  turbulent  emotions  excited  by 

"  The  madness  of  the  crowd." 
But  vice,  tolly  and  vanity  are  so  noisy,  so  restless,  so  ready 
to  rush  into  ])ublic  view,  and  so  adapted  to  afford  food  for 
malevolent  curiosity,  that  the  small  still  voice  of  virtue, 
active  in  its  own  sjdiere,  but  unwilling  to  quit  it,  is  drowned 
in  their  tumult.  This  is  a  remedy,  however, 
"  Not  obvious,  not  obtrusive." 

If  WO  would  counteract  the  baleful  influence  of  public 
vice  by  the  contemplation  of  private  worth,  we  must  pene- 
trate into  its  retreats,  and  not  be  det'jrred  from  attending 


'( 


^4" 


Jh 


If 
i  \ 


^ 


'^k 


Memoiks  of  an  American  Lady. 


25 


to  its  simple  details  by  the  want  of  t!iat  glare  and  bustle 
with  which  a  tietitious  or  artiticial  charaeter  is  generally 
surrounded. 

But  in  this  wide  field  of  s})e('ulati()n  one  might  wander 
out  of  sigh.t  of  the  original  subj-'ct.  Let  me  then  resume 
it,  and  i-eturn  to  my  ol>jections.  Of  these  the  first  and 
greatest  is  tlie  dread  of  being  inaeeunite.  End)ellished 
facts,  a  mixture  of  truth  and  fiction,  or  what  we  sometinu's 
meet  with,  a  fictitious  superstructure  biult  on  a  foundation 
of  reality,  would  be  detestabl(>  on  the  score  of  bad  taste, 
though  no  nu)ral  sense  were  concerned  or  consulted.  'Tis 
walking  on  a  river  half  frozen  that  bi'trays  your  footing 
every  moment.  By  these  repulsive  artifices  no  peison  of 
real  discernment  is  for  a  moment  imj)osed  u])on.  You  do 
not  know  "xae\ly  Avhich  ]»art  of  the  narrative  is  false  ;  but 
you  are  sure  it  is  not  all  true,  and  tlu'refore  distrust  what 
is  genuine,  where  it  occurs.  For  this  reason  a  fictit)n, 
happily  told,  takes  a  greaier  liold  of  the  mind  than  a  nar- 
rative of  facts,  evidently  end)ellished  and  interwoven  with 
inventions. 

I  do  not  mean  to  discredit  my  own  ver;H'ity.  I  certainly 
have  no  intention  to  relate  anytlung  that  is  not  true.  Yet 
in  the  dim  distance  of  near  forty  years,'  unassisted  by 
written  memorials,  shall  I  not  nnstake  dates,  misjilace  facts, 
.and  onnt  circumstances  that  form  essential  links  in  the 
chain  of  narration  ;  Thirty  years  since,  when  1  expressed 
a  wish  to  do  what  I  am  now  about  to  attempt,  how  ditl'er- 
ently  should  I  have  executed  it.  A  warm  heart,  a  vivid 
imagination,  and  a  tenacious  memory,  M'ere  then  all  tilled 
with  a  thenu!  Avhich  I  could  not  touch  without  kindling  into 
an  enthusiasm,  sacred  at  once  to  virtue  and  to  friendshij). 
Venerated  friend  of  my  youth,  my  guide,  and  my  instruct- 


'  It  will  have  been  st-on  by  the  Memoir  that  Mrs.  Grant  was  born  in 
175"),  camn  to  America  in  IToT,  and  retnrned  to  Scotland  in  17(»H,  at 
the  age  of  ISJ ;  and  t'lat  slie  wrote  this  worlc  in  1808,  at  the  age  of  53. 

4 


26  Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 

ress,  are  tlicn  tlio  droys  of  an  oiifeoblcd  mind,  tho  worn 
affections  of  a  wounded  lieart,  the  iniperfeet  efforts  (»f  a 
decaying  memory,  all  tliat  remain  to  eonseci'ate  thy  remem- 
brance, to  make  known  thy  wortli,  and  to  lay  on  tliy  tomb 
the  otiering  of  gratitude  ? 

]V[y  friend's  life,  besides  being  mostly  ])assiMl  in  unriiffted 
peace  and  prosperity,  affords  few  of  those  vicissitmles  whicli 
astonish  and  amuse.  Ft  is  from  her  rehitions,  to  those  with 
whom  her  active  benevolence  connected  lier,  that  the  chief 
interest  of  her  story  (if  story  it  may  be  called)  arises.  This 
includes  tliat  of  many  ])ersons,  obscure  indeed  biit  for  the 
light  which  her  regard  and  beneficence  reflected  upon  them. 
Yet  without  those  subordinate  persons  in  the  drama,  the 
action  of  human  life,  especially  sucrh  a  life  as  her's,  cannot 
be  carried  on.  Those  can  neither  a])pear  with  grace,  nor 
be  omitted  with  ]»roi)riety.  Then,  remote  and  retired  as 
her  situation  was,  the  variety  of  nations  and  characters,  of 
tongues  and  of  complexions,  with  which  her  ]tublic  spirit 
and  ])rivate  benevolenj-e  coimected  her,  might  appear 
wonderful  to  those  unacquaiuted  witli  the  country  and  the 
times  in  which  she  lived  ;  witliout  a  pjvtty  <listinct  view  of 
whicii  my  narrative  would  l)e  unintelligible.  1  must  be 
excused,  too,  for  dwelling,  at  times,  on  the  recollection  of  a 
state  of  society  so  |:)eculiar,  so  utterly  dissimilar  to  any  other 
that  I  have  lieard,  or  read  of.  that  it  exhibits  human  nature 
in  a  new  as[)eet,  and  is  so  far  an  object  of  i-ational  curiosity, 
as  well  as  a  kind  of  jdienomenon  in  the  history  of  coloniza- 
tion. I  forewarn  the  readei- not  to  look  for  lucid  order  in 
tiio  narration,  or  intimate  connection  l)etween  its  ])arts.  I 
have  no  authorities  to  refer  tt),  no  coeval  witnesses  of  facts 
to  consult.  In  regard  to  the  companions  of  my  youth,  I 
sit  like  the  "  ^'oice  of  Cona,"  alone  on  the  heath  ;  and,  like 
him  too,  must  muse  in  silence,  till  at  intervals  the  "  liglit  of 
my  sold  arises,"  liefore  lean  call  attention  to  "a  tale  of 
other  times,"  in  which  several  })articulars  relative  to  my 
friend's  ancestry  must  necessarily  be  included. 


r 


■rX* 


i 


^J^ 


Memoiks  or  AX  American  Lady.  27 

CIIAPTEll  T. 

Ohigix  of  the  Seitlemext  of  Albaxt. 

XT  is  well  known  tli;i(  tlic  itiovincf  of  Xt'W  York,  anciently 
calkMl  Mnnli.'ittoos'  l»y  \\w   Indians,   was  orioinally  settU-d 
l)y  a  Dutch  colony,  wliicli  came  from  Holland,   I  think,  in 
the  tinu'  of  Charles  the  Second.     I'^inding  the  country  to 
their  likinir,  they   were   folh)wed  Ity  others  more  wealthy 
and  l)ettei-  infonned.      Indeed  some  of  the  early  emigrants 
a))pear  to   ha\e   heen    ]><  opie  resjd'ctalde  hoth    from  theii 
family  and    character.     Of    these   tlu'    princijial    "were  the 
C'uylers,  the  Scjniylers,  the  Kenselaers,  the  DeLaneeys,  the 
C'orthuidts,  the  Tind)rooks,-  aiul  the  l>eekmans,  wh(»  have 
all  of  tliem  heon  since  distinguished  in  the  late  civil  wars, 
either  as  persecuted  loyalists  or  triumjdiant  patriots.     I  do 
not  precisely  recollect  the  motives  assigned  for  the  voluntary 
exile  of  jiei'sons  who  were  evidently  in  circumstances  that 
might  a<lmit  of  their  living  in  comfort  at  home,  but  am  apt 
to  tliink  that   the  early  settlers  weiv  those  who  adhered  to 
the  interest  of  the  stadtholder's  family,  a  party  which,  dur- 
ing the  minority  of  King  William,  was  almost  perst'cuted 


'  It  is  not  desipfnod  to  notice  for  \\w  purpose  of  rectifyini?  or  explain- 
ing all  the  diticrepancios  of  nomenclature,  dironolopy,  and  other 
matters,  which  Mrs.  Grant,  as  she  fears  on  the  i)revious  page  she 
might,  has  fallen  into  in  these  pa;j;es.  Not  a  few  of  them  were  com- 
nion  to  the  time  she  describes,  but  more  recent  investigations  and  dis- 
coveries liave  gradually  developed  a  more  correct  knowledge. 

TIh!  island  of  Manhattan,  we  learn  from  the  AUmnij  Ihcords,  was 
so  called  after  the  ancient  name  of  the  tribe  of  savages  among  wliom 
the  Dutch  first  settled  themselves,  but  the  a[)pe]lation  did  not  extend 
to  the  province!. —  M. 

"^  I»irlv.  Ten  Brock  was  the  first  of  the  name  ni^ntioncd  in  the  records, 
and  was  mayor  of  Albany  in  1747.  His  son  Aoraliam  was  also  mayor 
at  a  later  day,  and  a  very  distinguished  man,  who  married  Elizabeth 
sister  of  Stephen  Van  iiensselaer,  and  died  in  IHIO.  It  is  not  known 
tliat  he  has  any  posterity  residing  in  Albany. —  M. 


L  .^.l-U-li..U.^  .1 


28 


MEiMOIKS    OF    AN    AiMKRU'AX    LaDV 


il 


bvllic  liioli  n'jdibliciins.  "^riu'v  who  cmhu'  ovrv  at  fi  later 
jK'i'iod  ])r<il»al»ly  liclongiMl  to  tlic  i»aity  wliich  opposed  the 
stadthohU'T,  and  which  Avas  then  in  its  turn  <U'pressc'd. 
"^rhese  persons  afterwanls  distinguished  iheniselxcs  hy  an 
aversion,  ahnost  ainountini^'  to  antijtathy,  to  the  Hritish 
army,  an<l  inik-ed  to  all  the  I5ritisli  colonists.  Theii'  notions 
were  ini'an  and  confi'aeted  ;  tlieir  inannei's  blunt  and  austere  ; 
and  their  liahits  sordid  and  parsimonious  ;  as  tlie  settleuient 
beuan  to  exierid  they  ri'tired,  and  I'oruKMl  new  estahlish- 
ments,  afterwards  called  Fishkill,  Ksopms,  etc. 

To  the  Schuylers,  Cuylers,  DeLanceys,  ("oi-tlandts,  and  a 
few  others,  this  desci'iption  did  hy  no  jneans  ap]>ly.  Vet 
thev  too  l)ore  about  them  the  tttkens  of  foi'nuT  alHuence 
and  respectability,  such  as  family  |ilate,  porti'aits  (if  llu'ir 
ancestors  e\ecute(l  in  a  superioi'  style,  and  great  numbtTs 
of  oi-io'inal  paint inys,  some  (»f  which  Avere  much  admired 
by  acknowledged  judges.  Of  these  the  subji'cls  were 
generally  taken  from  sacred  history. 

I  do  not  recolU'ct  the  exact  tinu',  but  think  it  was  during 
the  last  years  of  C^harles  the  Second,  th:.t  a  si'ttlemi'ut  W(> 
tlien  ])ossesse(l  at  Surinam  was  exchanged  for  the  extensive 
(indeed  at  that  time  boundless)  ])roAince  of  ]Munliatloes,' 
which,  in  ("impliment  to  the  then  heir  ap])arent,  was  called 
New-Y(;rk,  Of  the  jtait  of  that  country  then  exploi-ed,  the 
most  fertile  and  bt'autiful  was  situated  f.ir  iidnnd,  on  the 
banks  of  the  llutlson's  I'iver.  This  couious  and  majestic; 
stream  is  navigable  one  hundred  and  seventy  nules  from  its 
mouth  for  Aessels  of  sixty  oi-  seventy  tons  bui'den.-     Near 


'  Siiriiiiiiu  was  awaidcd  to  tlic  Dutch  at  the  ])('ace  oi'  ■\Vcstniiiistpr, 
altur  vurious  reverses,  wliile  New  York,  Ibr  wliicli  it  was  excliaiiired, 
remained  quietly  in  the  hands  of  the  Eufrlish.  'J'lie  two  nations 
however  continued  for  more  than  a  century  to  make  Uuiana  a  i)oint 
of  attack  in  time  of  war. —  M. 

"  Tlve  tonnafje  of  the  ancient  p1ooi)s  liaa  been  somewliat  incn-ased. 
Tlie  sloop  in  whicli  ('apt.  Stewart  Dean  sailed  from  Albany  to  China 
in  1785,  was  80  tons.    The  government  made  imimnemeuts  in  the 


^' 


V 


Meajuirs  o]'  an  Amkrtcan  Lady. 


29 


T 


tlic  licad  of  it,  MS  ii  kind  of  barrier  ;it!;;iiiis(  tlic  ii!ili\('s,  smd 
a  <H'iiti';d  resort  for  t I'aders,  the  t'oiuidalion  was  laid  of  a 
town  called  Oianit'nburgli,'  and  afterwards,  by  the  Dritisli, 
All>any. 

.After  the  neeessai'v  ]ireeantion  of  erectinu'  a  small  stock- 
aded fort  foi'  security,  a  church  was  i)uilt  in  the  centre  of 
till'  intended  town,  which  served  in  dill'ei-i'Ut  respects  as  ;i 
kind  of  laud-mark.  A  <4entleman  of  the  name  of  IJeiiselaer 
^\■a^;  considi'i-e(l  as  in  a  niamier  lord  paramount  of  this  city, 
a  preeminence  w  iiicli  his  successoi'  still  enjoys,  both  with 
rci^'ard  to  tlu'  town  and  the  lands  adjacent.  The  oi-iu,'inal 
pi'oprietor  lia\  inn'  oi)tained  from  the  hiu'h  and  minhty  states 
a  urant  of  lauds,  which,  bet;'iiniinu'  at  the  church,  extended 
1wel\c  miles  in  e\  i-ry  direction,  forminu'  !>  manor  of  twenty- 
four  Dutch  miles  in  length,  the  sanii'  in  breadth,  iuclmline', 
lands  not  only  of  tlu- best  (piality  of  any  in  the  ])ro\iiiee, 
but  tile  most  happily  situatt'il  liotli  for  the  purpose  of  c()m- 
merce  and  aurienltuic.  This  yreat  prf>prietor  was  hxtked 
up  to  as  nuu'h  as  republicans  in  a  new  country  coidd  be 
supposed  to  look  up  to  any  one.  lie  was  called  the  ])atroou, 
a  designation  tantamount  to  lord  of  the  manor.  \v{  in  the 
distribution  of  these  lands,  the  sturdy  l)el_uian  spirit  of 
iiidc])en(lence  set  limits  to  tin-  |)ower  and  profits  of  this  lord 


navifration  of  the  river  ni'tor  Alhiiny  bccanu)  a  jiort  of  entry,  so  that 
sclioonersof  200  tons  were  enaliled  to  reach  tht;  city,  and  tlie  Rochester 
steam  l)oat,  the  larjrest  vessel  licensed  at  tliis  port  in  lf>3G,  of  nearly 
500  tons,  made  trijjs  at  low  water.  At  a  later  day  the  Isaac  Newton 
of  1400  tons  was  put  on  the  river,  and  renewed  efforts  to  increase  the 
ui)ward  flow  of  the  tide,  in  1800,  added  nearly  two  feet  to  the  snrface. 
The  altitude  of  Albany  beinj?  but  six  or  eifrht  feet  above  that  of  New 
York,  there  are  at  all  times  three  tides  in  the  river,  so  great  is  the 
distanc(!  they  have  to  ascend  before  leachinff  their  utmost  limit. —  JA 
'It  does  not  a])i)ear  what  name  the  Dutch  may  have  (riven  the 
locality.  It  was  often  alluded  to  as  the  Fuyck.  Oraiije  is  Dutch,  but 
Fort  Orange  is  English.  I  liave  not  seen  it  elsewhere  called  Oranien- 
huvfr,  although  that  would  be  a  proper  name  —  the  city  or  fortress  of 
Orange. —  M. 


80 


Mkmoiks  of  an  American  Lady. 


:r 


of  tlio  forests,  as  he  micfht  tlicii  hv  called.  None  of  these 
lan<ls  were  either  sold  or  alienated.  The  more  wealthy 
settlers,  as  the  Selniylers,  Ciiylers,  etc.,  took  very  extensive 
leases  of  the  fertile  j>l.lins  aloiiL;;  the  risci',  with  hdundless 
liberty  of  woods  and  ]»asturaf;e,  to  the  westward.  The 
terms  were,  that  the  lease  should  hold  while  water  runs  and 
o'i'ass  ij^rows,  .'ind  the  landlord  to  receive  the  tenth  sheaf  of 
evi-ry  kind  ol"  urain  the  <;r(»!!'id  pnxluces.  Thus  ever  ac- 
commud.'itini'the  rent  to  the  1'ertilit  v  of  the  soil,  and  chantjes 
of  the  seasons,  yt)U  may  sujtpose  the  teii;ints  did  not  greatly 
fear  a  landlord,  who  couhl  neither  remove  them,  nor 
lieighten  their  rents.  Thus,  without  the  |>ride  of  property, 
they  had  .all  the  independence  of  ])roprietors.  They  were 
like  (Jerm.'in  princes,  who,  after  fui'nishing  their  contiugvnt 
to  the  emperor,  might  make  war  on  him  when  they  chose. 
in'sidcs  the  profits  (yearly  augmenting)  which  the  patroon 
drew  from  his  ample  possessions,  he  held  in  his  own  hands 
an  e\tensi\('  and  fruitful  demesne.  Vet  preserving  in  ,i 
great  measure  the  simple  and  fi'ug.al  hahits  of  his  aiu-estors, 
his  Avealth  was  not  an  object  of  envy,  nor  a  source  of  cor- 
ru])tion  to  his  fellow-citizens.  To  the  northward  of  these 
bounds,  and  at  the  southern  extremity  also,  the  8chuyler.s 
and  C'uylers  held  lands  of  their  own.  liut  the  oidy  other 
great  landholders  T  remend)er,  holding  their  land  by  those 
original  tenures,  were  I*hili])s  and  Cortlandt  ;  their  lands 
lay  also  on  the  Hudson's  river,  h;df  Avay  down  to  New-York, 
and  were  denomi-iated  Phili])s'  and  Cortlandi's    manors.' 

'  Pliilipsc,  (ir  Pliilipson,  a  distintjuishwl  and  wealthy  Dutch  I'aniily. 
In  1074  a  valuation  of  the  estates  of  the  principal  inliahitanta  of  New 
York  was  nuirle,  wlien  that  of  Fi  jderick  Philipisen,  the  hiffliest,  was 
valued  at  80,000  florins.  A  portion  of  this  manor  was  sequestered  by 
reason  of  the  defection  of  the  owner  in  the  revolution,  who  fled  to 
En^rland,  and  was  allowed  hy  that  government  about  three  hundred 
thousand  dollars  as  compensation  for  his  loss.  The  whole  of  the  ori- 
ginal property  was  at  a  later  day  estimated  at  over  three  millions  of 
dollars.  The  Cortlandt  manor  is  still  in  a  measure  intact,  and  known 
as  such. —  M. 


& 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


81 


At  the  time  of  the  first  settlinej  <»f  the  ("^Mititrv  the  Indians 


were  numerous  and  powerlul  all  alont;  tlie  river  ;  hut  they 
consisted  oi  wandering  families,  wlio,  thougli  they  affixed 
sonu' sort  of  local  boundaries  for  distinguishing  tlie  hunting 
grounds  of  each  triho,  could  not  l»o  said  to  inhabit  any  )»lace. 
The  cool  and  crafty  Dutcli  governors,  being  unable  t«)  co])e 
with  tlu'in  in  ai'uis,  |)urchased  from  them  tlie  most  valuable 
tracts  for  sojue  ]»etty  c(»nsideration.  "^riiey  aifecte*!  great 
friemlshi])  for  them  ;  and,  while  conscious  of  their  own 
weakness,  were  careful  not  to  provoke  hostilities  ;  and  they, 
silently  and  insensibly,  established  themselves  to  the  west. 


CIIAPTEK  II. 


TiiK  Five  Nations  —  John  and  Phii.ii'  Schvyj-kr. 

\J^  the  ]\[ohawk  river,  about  forty  miles  distant  from 
Albany,  there  subsisted  a  confederacy  of  Indian  tribes,  of  a 
very  different  character  from  those  mentioned  in  the  ))re- 
ceding  chapter  ;  too  sagacious  to  be  deceived,  and  too  [tow- 
crful  to  be  eradicated.  These  were  the  once  i-enowncil  Five 
Nations,  wliom  any  one,  who  remembers  them  while  they 
were  a  peoj)le,  will  hesitate  to  call  savages.  Were  f/tii/ 
savages  wlio  had  fixed  liabitations  ;  who  cultivated  rich 
fields  ;  Avho  built  castles  (for  so  they  called  their  not  in- 
commodious wooden  liouses,  surrounded  Avith  palisadoes)  ; 
who  planted  maize  and  ])eans,  and  showed  considerable 
ingenuity  in  constructing  and  adorning  tlieir  canoes,  arms, 
and  clothing?  They  who  had  Avise  though  unwritten  laws, 
and  coiulucted  their  wars,  treaties,  and  alliances  with  dee]) 
and  souml  imlicy  ;  they  whose  eloquence  was  bold,  nervous, 
and  aninuited  ;  whose  language  was  sonorous,  musical,  and 


II 


82 


Memoirs  uk  an  Amkrican  Lady. 


(.'\|>i'('ssiv('  ;  wild  |)()ss('ss('<l  tfciicroiis  imd  clcvatcil  senti- 
ments, heniic  t'di'titnde,  :in<l  unstained  |tn)l»ity  :  were  these 
indeed  sa\  an't's  'i     'V\\v  dill'erence 

"  Of  srciit  tilt'  lu'iidldiifj:  lidiH'HS  Ijctwcfii 
And  Itound  sajiucious,  on  the  tiiintcd  y:r(  .'ii," 

is  not  uTeater  tlian  that  of  the  .Mnliawks  in  |M)inl  of  eiviiity 
and  (capacity,  from  other  American  trihcs,  anumi;'  whom, 
in(U'ed,  existed  a  I'ai'  yi-eater  di\ersif  y  of  eliaraeter,  laniinaije, 
etc.,  than  lMiro|)eaii><  seem  to  he  aware  of.  This  littU.' 
trihnte  ti>  the  memory  id'  a  ]ieo]iI('  who  have  hccn,  wliik'  it 
sootlies  tlie  jtensivt'  reeoUections  of  the  wi'iter,  is  not  so 
foi'eiuii  to  the  snhjt-ct  as  it  may  at  iiist  ajuiear.  So  nnieii 
of  tile  ]teaee  and  safety  of  this  infant  eommnnity  (h']»i'nde<l 
on  the  frienilslii|i  antl  allianee  of  these  generons  ti'ihes,  and 


to  conciliate  and  retain  tlieii"  alleetions  so  much  aihlress 
was  necessary,  that  common  eliaracters  were  nne([nal  totlie 
task.  Minds  lil)eral  and  upriulit,  like  those  I  am  ahoiit  to 
describe,  eouhl  alone  excite  that  esteem,  and  )»reser^■e  tliat 
hich    were    essential    towards    retaiiiint>'    the 


•oufid 


ence 


M 


friendshijt  of  tliose  \  ainahle  allies. 

From  the  time  of  the  ureat  reiiellion,  so  ninny  English 
refugees  fretineiited  Holland,  that  tlie  langnnge  and  manners 
of  oni- country  hecame  i'amili.ar  at   thi-  Hague,  i»artienlarly 


among    tlie    s 


ta(hl, 


older's    }»arty, 


>\' 


leii 


th 


irovmce    o 


1" 


iS'ew  York  fell  under  Xhv  Uritisli  dominion,  it  liecame  in'ces- 
sary  that  i'veryl»o<ly  should  learn  our  language,  as  all  imlilic 
business  was  carried  on  in  tlie  Kimlisli  toiio-ue,  wliieli  thev 
did  tlie  more  willingly,  as,  after  the  revolution,  the  acci'ssion 
of  the  stadtholder  to  the  Kuglish  crown  very  much  recon- 
ciled them  to  our  go\ernment  ;  still,  liowever,  the  Knglish 
was  a  kind  or'  court  ianguage,  little  spoken,  and  imperfectly 
understood  in  tlie  interior,  Those  who  hrouglit  witli  them 
the  French  and  Fiiglish  languages  soon  aciiuired  ti  sway 
over  their  less  eiiliglitened  fellow  settlers.  Of  this  number 
Avere  the  Seliuylers  and  C'uylers,  two  families  among  whom 


I 


MkMOIUS    of    A\    AmKRK  an    liADY 


33 


intellect  of  llie  snjK'i'ior  kind  seenu'il  an  inlieritaiu'c,  and 
whose  inteilijicnee  ami  lilteraiity  of  mind,  r(»i'tilie(l  l»y  well- 
gronndi'il  )>rinci|>le,  carricil  them  far  beyond  the  petty  and 
narrow  \  iews  of  the  rest.  Ilahituated  at  home  to  centre 
all  wisdom  and  all  happiness  in  commercial  advantaijes, 
they  would  lia\i'  heen  very  ill  calculateil  to  lay  the  fonnda- 
tiiii  of  an  infant  state  in  a  (rounti'v  that  afTorded  plenty  and 
content,  as  the  ri'ward  of  iiwhistry,  hut  where  the  very 
nature  of  the  tei'ritory,  as  well  as  the  state  of  society,  pre- 
cluded orcat  pecuniary  ac<|uisitions.  Their  ohject  here  wa^ 
tamiiiif  savaj^e  nature,  and  makiny-  the  lioundless  wild  sub- 
servient to  aijricultural  pui'|>osi's.  ("omnu'icial  pursuits 
were  a  distant  prospect  ;  and  befoic  they  became  of  con- 
8e(|uence,  I'ural  habits  had  n'l'eatly  chiiiifed  the  character 
of  these  repidtlicans.  Rut  the  commercial  spirit,  inherent 
in  all  true  IJatavians,  <»nly  sle])t  to  w:d<e  anain,  when  the 
avidity  of  uain  was  calle(l  forth  by  the  temptation  of  bar- 
tering for  any  hicrative  commo<lity.  The  furs  of  the  Indians 
gave  this  occasion,  and  wei'e  too  soon  made  the  obji'ct  of 
the  avidity  of  petty  traders.  To  the  iid'ant  settlenu'Ut  at 
Albany  the  conse(|uences  of  this  short-siijjhteil  policy  niis^ht 
have  prove<l  fatal,  ha<l  not  these  patriotic  h-aders,  by  their 
example  and  inlluence,  checkcMl  for  a  while  such  illiberal 
and  daiii^orous  i)ractices.  It  is  a  fact  sinL,ndar  and  worth 
attendinu;  to,  from  the  lesson  it  exhibits,  that  in  all  our  dis- 
tant colonies  there  is  no  other  instance  where  a  consiilerable 
town  and  [)rosperons  settlen\eut  has  arisen  and  flourished, 
in  peace  and  safety,  in  the  midst  of  nations  disposed  and 
often  |)rovoked  to  hostility  :  at  a  distance  from  tiie  pro- 
tection of  ships,  and  from  the  only  fortified  city,  which, 
always  weakly  garrisoned,  was  little  fitted  to  awe  and  pro- 
tect tlie  whole  province.  Let  it  be  nMuenibered  that  the 
distance  from  New  York  t(»  Albany  is  170  miles  ;  and  that 
in  the  iutennediate  s|.ace,  at  the  period  of  which  I  speak, 
there  \vas  not  one  town  or  fortified  place.     The  shadow  of 


!n«i!i!.'?j";..iip..w".| 


:\\ 


M  IMii'llS    ol       W      A  Mi;il|t'  \N     I  ,  M'\ 


:i  |i:ilis,iil I   IkiI'    w  Iik  Ii  llirii  i'\is|ri|  in 


All 


i;m\  ,   U  :i''    itiril 


jiiiMJ   Ity  :i  ^iiir.li'   inilc|M'Milt'iil    i'niM|':iii\ ,  w  Ik*   diil    iliilN,  lull 


W  I'll'    tllSIH'l  'Cl 


I  ll 


IH'I 


ll  I  lie  I  ii\\  n,  w  111  k  III!'  ;il  \  :ii  n  hi.  1 1  ;ii|c,s 


so    st'.-M't'i'    iinlci'il    well'    ;irli/;iii'<    in    liii''    ri>iiiiiiiinil  \  ,   llial    ;i 


(r;|i|('MH:iii   niit'lu    in   I  lir-c  (|;i\  s  ;|sk   ;in\    \\:i;m 


lir  .  ll 


To    It'luni     lo    lIlC'    si'l  I  li'llli'lll  ,     wlllill    rVhlnilU     <>v\ri|     ils 


M'cunI  \    lo  I  In    \\  imIoiii  1 


>r  11^^  icihi 


ll  '■.  \\ 


Im>   :iI 


W  :i\  s  :n  In!  on 


(ln'  siiii|i|('  iii.i\in\    li'Ml    lioiH'siN    IS  (lif    Im'sI    |io||(\    ;    scvciiil 
iMllcs    iiorlli    lioiii    All>;i!i\    :i  i  oiisnlri  ;il  ' 


ijr    iMissrsMoll,  <';illrt| 


tin'  l''l;il--.  \\;is  iiili.'ilnlt'il  li\  (  oloinl  I 'liili|i  Scliii  \  It  r,  one 
ol  the  ino^l  i'nli!>.lilt'ii*'<l  nnn  in  llir  |iio\tint'.  'I'liis  liiiiit', 
M  lion(i(  1,  lie  wonlil  li.ivc  lomnl  il  ;i  \ri\  ilninMioiis  siiiniiioii 
Ii;i<|  lie  inij  Itoon  ;i  |i('ivoii  ol  sni!',ul;ir  woiili.  loiiuiiili  ,  ami 
\\i--iloin.  Will'  I  iiol  alianl  ol  liiiii)-,  iii\  icailfi'  willi  a 
(lilail  ot  occnrn'iici's  ulinli.  laKiii;-,  ithnc  lirroir  tlic  Milli 
ol  ni\  Irit  ml.  mii'.lil  st'ciii  ii  i  ilf.  aiil  lo  llio  |«irst'iil  |iiir|Hisc, 
1  (OiiM  iclilo  niaiiv  iiislaint's  ainiosi  iiicHMliliJo,  ol'  (In- 
power  ol  niiinl  tli>|)|a\  t'<l  li\  lliis  ociit  Iciiiaii  in  i^ox  cniiii"^ 
lln'  nniii>l  I  inlc.l  willioiil  cocrt  ion  or  Icnai  lii^lit.  Ilcpos 
M"^soil  (his  vi>('(ii's  ol  |io\vrr  in  no  t'oiiinion  dearer  ;  liis 
intlnrihc.  uilli  thai  ol  his  hrol  hrr  ,1  ohii  ScIiiin  Icr,  ■  vasiA- 
i'lh'tl  to  roiuiliaU'  the  \>  ainli'iiiii;  trilu'sol'  linliaiis  ;   ami  hv 


'  It  in:i_v  l>i<  worth  uiitiny- that  ("nptuiii  Musmi'V,  who  coiimmiiilrd  iIiIm 
ni>iii't1".'i(i\('  cDiiipaiiy  tor  niaiiy  vnuH,  was  the  lather  of  Mrs.  I.enox, 
an  iin>s(inialile  eliarai'ler,  well  Uiiownlor  lier  literary  |iri)iliietii<iis,aM(l 
lor  lieiii^'  the  Irieiiil  aiul  pr.leei'e  ot  l>eenir  .lohnson    —  Mrs.  (iriiiil. 

'•' This  allusion  is  Id  Tol,  I'liilip  I'ieterseii  van  Selmvler.  the  pm- 
j>eni(er  of  those  lieariii^  the  name  here,  ili'  sellietl  llie  linuwery 
ealled  tlie  l'"la!s.  einlMacin;^  a  part  o\'  W  Cst  'Iroy,  ami  eMeiulinji-  to  the 
l>atr.>on's  tarm  below.  .\  lar;.;e  port  ion  of  this  ancient  plat  still  reinaiiiH 
in  the  oeenpaney  ot'  his  ileseeinlants.  lie  dieii  March  !•.  HiS  I,  ami  was 
buried  under  the  elinivh  which  stood  in  Stale  street  at  its  inlersectii)ii 
with  Broadway,  a  privilege  that  was  accordeil  to  siieli  as  were  ipiali- 
tied  by  their  standing,  and  who  were  willin;i-  to  pay  the  lee  presi  ribt>d 
tlieret'or.  --  M. 

'■'  .loliannes  Schuyler  was  not  the  brollu-r  but  the  son  ot  I'hilip,  and 
thi'  father  of  Mmiaine  Schuyler  the  American  Lailv.--  M. 


X 


M  IMHlliS    Ml.      \N     ,\  MIIIM    \N     |(M»V. 


»r> 


l.'iir  liMllit',  |iii   III'  liMi  \\;i'.  ;i  limlir,  :iiii|  liy  f:iii    IiImciI  ihul 
ill!',    IIk'N     :ill;iiiii'<l     lliiii     nlijiil         'I'Ims     mIu     '  I  i  i'|i!'I  In  mi  i| 
llli'    li'.'ictiir     ;||li';|i|\     JmiiimiI    Willi     llir     |i\i'     Mii|i;i\\k     lllltiuli', 
ll\     |il  iiiiii  ilpi    ill!    I  Im'IiI   '  )il||<'  ,1-  '  i^tllliri'  ;|i>:i|||    I    I  I  in  I    (  IK  milH, 
I  III'    <  (||ii||i|;m'im";   >i|    I  III'    IllKf  .  ' 

<jllHrli     Allln      |i:ii|    li\     llir.     liiiir    ^  lirni  i  |ri|     l<i     llic       hiill 
ll'ililrl.        'I'lir     i'ii";i||(ir      ;i  ml  Ml  !•  >||     ip|       l.iUlh      llic     I'l  ill  I  1 1  i   |i  I  l| 

;irlii;ili<l  llir  iiiimlr  I  |i:iil  >il  In  islihui'  ilniiiitiiniis  ; 
.lll'l    lllf   riM  rii;ir|ill|M      .|i||||    i>|     |  |i|'     |,.,m||,.^s    iiiiIium    I»i;';iii    tii 

ili'<<'\  n   il   I'M   ill  liii'i  ilii  i(-   III  I  In    iiii'.'iiil  »<(|(iii\ .      ,\  mul  i\  »• 

III!  w  liii'li  I  iiiilil  iiiiirr  III'  til' n  i\  I'l  I'll,  |ii  (KKCKHinir  ;i>  l|ii'\  i|ii| 
.'iID'.'kIn    IIIIK   II    IIKili'    ll'||i|ii|\     lli:ill    lllt'\     will'    :ili|l'    |ii<Mr|||i\, 

llii'  liiiiils  III  wliirli  Will'  mull  liiii'il,  jiiil  llii'  |iiii\iiiri'  ui 
Nru  ^  111  k  w  ;i:.  ;i  IHiiiI  ill  ;  ;iiii|,  ;i'  i  iirli,  ;i  K  iii'l  nj  li;ii  I  n  r  In 
I  III'  s<  III  I  1 11 'I'll  riili  iiiii'  .  1 1  I II '[.'.'i  1 1  ;i  I'  <i  I II  (I  I  III  I II  1 1  I  (ii  ;i  ■  li;i  I  <• 
I'l  llir  Ini  li;i<l<',  linn  \('i\  ^(l||^.il|l'l  ;ili|i',  liilmi'  lln  lH';i\t'rH 
\M'\r  iliivi'ii  ii.'irk  rmiii  llnir  uiii/iiiiil  IimimiIh.  In  sliuil, 
till'  |irii\  iinr  i|;iil  \  Kit  in  im|Hii  I  ;iiiri'  ;  ;iiii|  In 'in;.'  in  ;i  ;.'i<';it, 
IIHMslllr  |iHi|('r|ri|  \>\  llii'  ,Mii|i;i\\k  llilics-,  llir  [iiilii  \  i ,{ 
cnmliiiL!,  I  lii'ii-  ;illi;iin'i',  ;iin|  iiii|ii  r' 'imr  lln'ir  iniinh  willi  ;im 
(•\;illril  idr.i  of  t\\c  |Miwrr  :iinl  'j  i;iiii|riii  mI'  llir  I'.iili  h  im- 
[lirc,    Itrriimc    (ili\iiiiis.       I   cjiiilinl     ici'i i| IitI     llir  n;iim''ir    ihc 


X 


'   'I'lir    I  l'(ii|l|(iiH,  nr    \'"l\r   Nlll  inilH,  I'OliHiHl  I'll   ut    llli'   M'llill  VvKh,  '  )li'|i|liM, 
OlHIIIlJMJillH,      ('liyiliMlN,      aillj       Sl'lll'CllH.         It,      WIIH      |  iT' ll  ill  I  ll  V      ^Uf       lllllMIIH 

lliiit  Mt'H.  Ui'iitit    IiimI  ill  iiiiiiij   iiH  t III' iiiilii^oiiiHlH  lit   till'  Ni'vv    V'lik  In- 


iliaiiH. 


1/. 


' 'I'lm  l>miinlni'irH  mI'  I'iii'iiim  iiiuI  triictH  Wft'i^  (|iiitc  iiiili-linlti',  (infj  hm 
IJii'V  lirraini'  rnltivnli'd  nil  I  iucch  of  tin'  (li'Mcriiii'ii  IioiiikIh  iitti'ily  ri-MHrrl 
In  ill-  (liHtiii^riiiHlinlilr.  l''or'  iiiHtiinci',  ii  larm  imw  in  lln;  liiart,  fiC 
till'  rity  nl  Alliaiiy,  IcaHriJ  liy  tin-  |i(il  rnnii  tn  iHaac,  ('aH|iarH<:  filial,  was 
Inaar  llic  Hon  of  ('an|iar  llahnlx'ck}  in  tliiiH  cicwrilmd  in  flic  JcaHc : 
ImniKlfil  on  llin  iiortli  l>y  lln-  plain  iiiid  tin'  liill ,  on  tlic  cant,  livtlic 
HW'aiii|),  on  till'  Hoiilli  hy  llic  Kcvcr  kil,  and  on  tlic  wcHt,  liv  lii.-  woodw. 
Nolliin^  now  iTniaiiiH  l>iit.  llic  rrcck  lo  murk  tlic  l»oiindaricH  of  tliiH 
friicl,  and  lliat  in  iir<'lici|  over  and  lined  as  a  hcwit.  'I'Iic  liill  wuh  lonj; 
hIiicc  leveled,  the  HWiinip  filled  in  iind  liuilt.  upon,  and  llic  wo(k1h  cleared 
up,  nnd  tlic  area  occii|)ie(l  hy  HtrcetH  and  ii  deiiHf!  population. —  M. 


1^ 


86 


Mi;.MnlltS    OF    A.N     A  M  Kit  KAN     liAMY 


LTiiN  t'limr  Ml   tills  I  line 


lull  \\linc\('i'  lit'  \v;is,  lit',  MS   well  MS 


tilt'    Sllffl'Ct 


lint; 


r  oiif 


\ISllt(|      lilt'     '«t 


II  It'llll'lll     Ml     AJltMIIV,   It) 


tthscrvc  its  wise  it'^iilMtitms,  mikI  i,'rti\N  ini;  |ir<>s|it'ril\ ,  miuI 
til  N'MTii  iKMviiiis  111'  siniiiil  |n>lify  iVnin  tlmsc  wlmst'  inlt'i't'sts 
Mini  IiM|>|'iiii'ss  wt'it'  iImiI)  |iiiiiiiiili'il  liy  lilt'  |irM('lii'('  nl'  it. 


ii. 


ClIAlTKi;  III. 


CniuNKI,    Srill   VIKi; 


AMI 


i'i\  i:  SaiiiivMs  visn    Ivm.i.wh  — 


'riii:ii!  lki;ri;i'iiiiN  ami  |{i:iri!N. 

XT  wmh  IIkiIIhIiI  .•|ilvis;ilili'  111  liiiiiij;  n\ry  soiiu'  nf  llit'  lic.'iils 
i>r  llit'trilit's  ti)  MiiucImiiiI  In  Mll.ifli  llu'iii  IoiIimI   foiiiil  i_v  : 
lull  111  ]i('rsiiai|('  tlic  iliicrs  ul'  m  iVcc  mihI  li!i|'|iy  |it'ii|ili',  wlm 
wcri'    iiilcllin'ciit,    s;iii;icitiu.s,    .-mil    ;i\\;ii('    ul'     mII    |iniliMlili' 
ilMiiLCt'i's  ;  wilt)  wtTc  st r;iiiLr*'rs  Id  ;iI1  tlic  iii:iiiliiiu'  ciniccnis, 
;iiiil   liMil    iicNcr  lit'lu'lil   till'  iici'.'iii  ;  tu  iktsiimiIc  such   iiidc- 
]ii'iiiU'iit    Mini  liiu'li-niimU'il    WMrrims  to   rtu-sMkc    tlif  s.it'i'ty 
:iiiil  I'lijiiynit'iits   df    their    uwii   enuiitry,   \n  fiifiiiiiilcr    the 
jicrils  III"  M  iniiu-  \oyM!j:t',  Miiil  fnist  iIh'imsi'Im's  :iiiii)iin-  fiitirc 
strangers,  ;iiiil   this   iiicii-Iy  tu  liiiiil  closer  an   Mlliaiicc   with 
tlu^  soviTcij^u  of  a  ilist.'int  coiint  ry  —  a  I'oinalc  so\  fn-ion  too  ; 
a  motU'  of  <;d\  iTiinu'iit    that    imisl    Iim\i'  M]i|K'Mrt'(l  to  tlu'in 
very  inconyriioiis  ;  this  was  no  coiiiinoii   uinicrtakiiis;,  imr 
was  it  easy  to  induce  these  ch..  is  to  accede  to  the  jiro|iosal. 
The  iirincijial   motive   for  inuiiit;  it  was  to  coiiiiteract   the 
maehiiiMtions  of  the  French,  whose  emissai'ies  in  these  wild 
reji'ioiis  hatl  even  then   heijnn  to  style  us,  in  elVect,  a  nation 
of  shop-keeiiers  ;  and  to  ini|iress  the  trihes  dwelling  in  their 
boundaries  with   vast  itleas  of  the  power  ;iiid  s|ilentlor  of 
ihc'w !/)'(( /id  riioi(((rqii('^  while  our  sovereign,  they  saitl,  ruletl 
over  a  petty  island,  and   was  himself  a  trader.     To  coun- 
terwork those  suggestions,  it  was  tliouglit  requisite  to  give 
the  leaders  of  the  nation  an  adequate  idea  of  our  power, 


X 


'W\i 


Mli.MOlHS    OK    AN     AmKUKAN    LaKV. 


37 


m 


i 


Mild  lilt"  iiiriLrniflct'iicc  nl"  uiir  cnuit.  Tlii'  rliirl's  nf  IniLjtli 
<  oiiscfiti'il,  *>ii  lliis  only  ciiiKlitinii,  tliMi  tlifir  hrnilicr 
l'liili|i,'  \nIiii  tit'vt'i-  t<>|<|  a  lie,  or  s|Mikc  witliuiit  tliiiikiiii;;, 
hIhmiM  afcuiii|tMiiy  tliciii.  Ilnwcvcr  this  Lfciitlciuairs  wis- 
<l<)ii)  mikI  iiitcLri'ity  iniulit  tiiiMlily  liiiii  lur  this  ciiiiilnyniciit, 
it  l)y  III)  iiicaiis  siiitcij  his  jilaci*!  ti'iii|M-i.,  siiii|)|('  iiiaiiiii'is, 
aii<l  h;il»ils  *>\'  life,  at  oncf  |iastnial  ami  |>al  liai'i-hal,  to  I  ia\  cl 
(iNcr  seas,  sisii  cuiifts,  ami  iiiiiiiric  in  the  liii>lh'  ul'  a  wnrlij, 
the  ciistniiisor  w  hi  el  I  were  iM'tMnnc  I'nrcinii  ti»  I  hose  |iriiiiitiv(' 
iiihahit.'iiits  (if  new  ami  itiiiutc  rcnioiis.  'rin-  a<l\ ciitinf, 
ln>\V('\ cr,  siict'ccdcil  l»ry<»ml  his  ('\|M'ctal  inn  ;  t  he  cliicrs  were 
pleased  with  the  attention  |»ai(|  llieni,  an<l  with  the  tiiiid 
and  i;ratiniis  nianiiiTs  of  the  <|Meeii,  who  al  dill'erenl  times 
iidinitted  them  to  her  presence.  With  the  Ljood  IMiiiip  she 
had  many  com crsations,  and  made  him  some  \aliialik' 
presents,  anioni;  which,  1  think,  was  her  pictnic  ;  l»nt    this 

'  This  fviiit  liiippfiiin^r  iitarly 
lii'.lf  uci'iitiiry  hcture  Mrs.  Oraiit 
was  l)orii,  and  nearly  a  century 
hctore  tliis  work  was  wTiiten, 
"  unassistetl  by  written  iiiinio- 
rials,"  tlie  mistake  ot  tiie  name 
1)1'  Philip  tor  I'iettT  is  paninn 
al)le  It  was  i'ieter,  howtncr, 
tiie  eldest  son  of  I'ldlip,  wlio  li- 
jjfund  in  tlds  ciiisode.  He  was 
the  tirst  iniivor  of  Ail)aiiy  in 
KINO,  and  twenty-four  years  hiter, 
ii>  1710,  fonducted  thtse  natives 
to  Knjrhind,  nrrivinjr'here  in  the 
time  of  C^ueen  Anne  and  tint 
Spectator.  On  tins  occasion  Ids 
full  leiijrtli  portrait  w^is  ]>uiiited, 
and  is  still  preserved  umonj;  his 
descendants  at  the  Flats,  an 
en}j;ravinjf  of  which  is  here 
f^riven,  and  some  i)iea8ant  allu- 
sions ans  made  to  the  event  in 

Portrait  of  Col.  I'ieter  Schuyler,  painted     the  Sl)ectator  of  that  time.  —  M. 
in  England,  1710. 


»iai»iiilMUiii:aaM<i 


38 


Mkmoirs  or  AX  American  Lady 


■\villi  iiiiuiy  others  w.'t.s  lost,  in  a  inaimci-  wliicli  will  a|i]i('Mr 
liercaftcr.  Coioiicl  Scliuylcr  too  was  much  (l('lii:;ht(.'il  with 
the  coiii'tcoiis  afVahility  of  this  |>i'iiic('ss  ;  she  ofVcfcil  to 
kniii'hl  him,  which  he  respect  fully,  hut  |M)sitively  refused: 
ami  heiut;"  |iresse(l  to  assiijii  his  reasons,  he  sai<l  he  had 
1)rothei-s  and  near  relations  in  hninhle  circumstances,  who, 
already  his  infei'iors  in  |iro|ierty,  woidd  seem  as  it  were  de- 
pressed i»y  his  elevation  :  and  though  ii  should  have  no 
siu'h  elTect  on  his  miml,  it  miLiht  he  the  means  of  awaken- 
in<f  pride  or  \  anity  in  tlie  female  part  of  his  family.  lie 
returned,  however,  in  triumph,  ha\  in^'  eomplelely  succeeded 
in  his  mission.  'I'he  kind's,  as  they  were  called  in  Mnu'land, 
eame  hack  in  full  health,  deeply  impressed  with  esteem 
am!  .attachment  for  :»  country  which  to  them  .appeareil  the 
centre  of  .arts,  intelliii'ence  and  wisdom  ;  where  they  were 
treated  with  kindiu'ss  ;ind  respect  ;  and  neither  m.ade  the 
ohji'cts  of  perpetu.al  ex  hi  hit  ion,  nor  hurried  a  1  tout  to  he  con- 
tinually distracted  with  ;i  succession  of  s)>lendid,  and  to 
them  incomprehensihle  si^'hts,  the  (piick  shiftiuii' of  which 
i-ather  tends  to  harass  minds  which  ha\('  enoun'h  of  n.ative 
sti'enu'th  to  reflect  on  what  they  see,  without  kiiowletlg-e 
sutHcient  to  comprehend  it.  It  is  to  this  childish  auil  in- 
judicious mode  of  ti'eatinu,'  those  uncivilized  l)eings,  this 
mode  of  r.ather  e\t(»rt inj;'  from  them  :i  tribute  to  our  vanity, 
than  taking  the  neei'ssary  p.ains  t(t  infoi'in  ;ind  improve  tlu'm, 
tliat  the  ill  success  of  .all  such  expi'rinu'nts  since  ha\e  heen 
owinu".  Instead  of  endeav(U'in<f  to  conciliate  them  by 
o't^iuine  kindness,  and  by  ii'ra<lu,ally  and  u'ently  uid'olding 
to  t  hem  simple  aii<l  ust'ful  truths,  our  manne.  of  treating 
tlu'ni  si'cins  calcul.atcMl  to  dazzle,  oppress  and  degrade  them 
with  a  dis](l.ay  of  our  superioi-  luxuries  and  retinianents  ; 
wliich,  by  the  elev;ite<l  and  selfdenii'd  Mohawk,  would  be 
r^g.ardiMl  as  unmanly  and  frivolous  objects,  and  which  the 
voluptuous  and  low-minded  Otaheitean  would  so  far  relisli, 
th.at  the  priv.ation  would  seem  intoleraV'le,  wIk'u  he  ri'turned 


Ji^ 


•^ 


i 


TikSK.  vsBsr■^:■■^^Mri•.*^srr:  -; 


V 


If 

I 


i> 


-f* 


i. 


M  KM  OIKS    OF    AN    AmKKICAN    LAiiV. 


30 


to  liis  hojj^s  aiitl  liis  cocoas.  Except  sucli  as  liii\ c  I'c'.'ii  piv- 
vioiisly  inoculated  (a  i»rccaiitioii  wliich  voya^iTs  liavc  r,ir(>lv 
had  the  prudence  or  liunianity  to  taki'),  there  is  scarcely  an 
instance  of  savages  ]»rouo-|i1  to  Kuropethat  have  not  died  uf 
the  small  pox  ;  indiu-ed  either  l»y  the  int'cction  to  whicli  they 
are  exposed  from  the  indiscrimiiiale  crowds  ditiwn  about 
them  or  the  alteration  in  their  hlood,  wliich  unusual  liet,  li- 
<piors,  close  air,  and  heated  I'ooms,  nuist  necessarilv  pi'oduce. 
Tlu^  j)resents  made  to  these  adveiitui'ous  wari'iors  were 
judiciously  adaitted  to  their  taste  and  customs.  They  euii- 
sisted  of  showy  lial)its,  of  wliich  all  these  people  nw  verv 
I'oiiti,  and  arms  nnyle  purposely  in  the  form  of  those  used 
in  their  own  country.  It  was  the  foi-tune  of  the  writer  of 
tliese  nu'inoirs,  more  than  thirty  years  after,  to  see  that 
o-reat  warrior  and  faithful  ally  of  the  liritish  crown  tin- 
redouhted  Kin^-  Ilendrick,  then  sovci'cinn  of  the  l-'ive 
Nations,  splendidly  arrayed  in  a  suit  of  liii'ht  hliie,  niaih'  in 
Jin  anti(pie  mo(h>,  and  trimmed  with  broad  silver  laci'  ; 
which  was  probably  an  heirloom,  in  the  faiiiilv,  presented 
to  his  father  by  his  n-ood  ally,  and  sister,  the  female  kino- of 
England.' 

•  King  Hnuliick,  born  KISO, 
killed    IT.").")   at  the   l)iUt]c   ot' 
Lakcticorsjc  as  is  well  known, 
was  not  sovcrcijrii  ol'  the  Fivo 
Nations,  l)ut  was  a  chief  ol'tlio 
Mohawk  nation,  who  had  liccn 
invested  with  tlic  title  of  kinj;, 
an  nnusual  term  for  a  leader 
aiuon^  the  Indians.     Possibly 
;i;      it  was  anotlier  warrior  sinii- 
"\        larly    accoiitered    that    Mrs. 
,i  ,        (o'aiit  saw  at  a  later  day;   tor 
^x      altliouyh    Kino-    Ilendrick    re- 
-         turned   witli  hucIi  a  costume, 
and  liis   iiortrait    was   jiainted 
in  it    in   Kn^laiul    durintr   his 
Kingllondrick.  visit,  he  hud  lieen  a  short  tiino 

dead  when  Mrs.  Grant  arrived  in  the  country. —  M. 


e'fl 

.Ml 


<f^tf^rtWU-^,k.^*A^iX'^^F^^J^TJt'i:i^.7\^'--irU'^'-i^-^.^^.i'J. 


■•  i»:.i  i:f.'>s(:.>mii.'aewmsKimsSKatj 


40 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady, 


T  cannot  exactly  s.-iy  liow  long  Colonel  Scluiyler  :uh1  his 
companions  staid  in  England,  bnt  think  they  were  neai'ly  a 
year  ahseiit,'  In  those  ]»riiMeval  days  of  the  settlement, 
when  onr  ]>i-escnt  rapid  modes  of  transmitting  intelligence 
were  unknown,  in  a  eountiy  so  detached  and  inland  as  that 
at  Albany,  the  return  of  these  interesting  travelers  was  like 
the  tii'st  ligliting  of  lamps  in  a  city. 


CTFAl^TEH  TV. 

Cor.ONEL  SciIUYLEU  AND  THE  SaCIIEMS LiTERARY  AcQia- 

SITIOXS ]\rA.\NEKS  (»K    THE  Se'ITLERS, 

X  ins  sagacious  and  intelligent  [tatriot  thus  brought  to  the 
foot  of  the  British  throne,  the  high  spirited  rulei's  of  the 
boundless  wild,  who,  alike  heedless  of  the  jtower  an<l  splen- 
dor of  distant  monarchs,  were  accustomed  to  say,  "with  Fin- 
gal,  "  sufficient  for  me  is  the  desart,  with  all  deer  and 
woods."  It  may  easilj-  be  su])]»osed  that  such  a  mind  as 
Philip's  was  (vpially  fitted  to  accpiire  and  comnmnicate  in- 
telligence. He  who  had  conversed  with  Addison,  ]\Iarl- 
borough,  and  (iodolphin,  who  had  gratifie(l  tlu'  curiosity  of 
Oxford  and  Holingbroke,  of  Arbiithnot  and  of  Oay,  witli 
accounts  of  natuiv  in  her  jtristine  garb,  and  of  her  children 
in  their  jirimitive  simplicity  ;  he  who  could  do  all  this,  no 
doubt  received  ampli'  retui'us  of  various  information  fi-om 
those  best  (pialitied  to  give  it,  and  was  besides  a  <liligent 
observer.     Here  he  improved  a  taste  for  literature,  native 

'  Those  chiefs  or  sacliems  of  different  tribes  or  nations,  wenl  ovev 
with  the  Enorlisli  West  Indian  fleet  early  in  1710,  and  liad  their  first 
audience  of  Queen  Anne  1!)  Ai)ril.  There  werefivt^  of  them,  Mohawks 
and  Maliieans,  aniontr  wlioni  was  Kint;  Ilendrick,  One  of  them,  a  Ca- 
najoharie  chief,  died  soon  after  their  arrival,  whence  Mrs.  Grant  speaks 
of  them  as  four  in  numlier.  They  returned  In  1711,  and  held  their 
first  conference  in  Albany,  10  August  of  that  year.  — M. 


^ 


-gr 


Memuiks  of  an  American  Lady. 


41 


to  liiiii,  for  it  liiid  not  yi't  taken  root  in  tliis  uncultivated 
soil.  Hi'  l)i-ouulit  honu'  the  Sjteetator  and  the  traLfi'(ly  of 
C'ato,  Windsoi'  Foi-est,  Vouny's  poem  on  the  Last  Day,  and 
in  short  all  the  works  then  puhlislu'd  of  that  constellation 
of  wits  which  distinguished  the  last  female  reiifii.  Nay 
more,  and  hi'tter,  he  l)i'oui!;ht  Para<lise  Lost  ;  which  in 
after-times  aifordetl  such  delight  to  some  Iwanches  of  his 
family,  that  to  them 

"  Paradise,  indeed,  seemed  opened  iu  the  wild." 

But  to  return  to  our  sachems,  from  whom  we  have  too 
long  digressed  ;  when  they  arrived  at  Albany,  they  did  not, 
as  might  he  exjx'cted,  hasten  home  to  comnumicate  their 
discoveries,  oi-  display  their  ac(piisiti<»ns.  They  summoned 
a  congivss  there,  not  ouly  of  the  elders  of  their  own  nation, 
but  the  chiefs  of  .all  those  with  whom  they  were  in  alliance. 
This  solemn  meeting  w.asheld  in  the  Dutch  church.  Tu  the 
jiresent  depressed  and  diminishe<l  state  of  these  once  ]iow- 
erful  tribes,  so  few  trat'cs  of  their  wonted  energy  I'emain, 
that  it  could  scarce  be  ci-i.lite(l,  were  I  able  to  relate  with 
wliat  bold  ;ind  flowing  ehxpience  they  clothed  their  concep- 
tions ;  powerful  reasoning,  i'm])hatic  language,  and  grace- 
ful action,  added  force  to  their  arguments,  while  they 
persuaded  their  adherents  to  renouiu-e  all  coimection  with 
the  tribes  under  the  French  inHuence  ;  and  forni  a  lasting 
league,  olfensiveand  defensive,  with  that  great  (pu'cn  whose 
mild  m.'ijesty  had  so  deei)ly  im]>ressed  tiu'in  :  and  the 
mighty  people  whose  kindness  had  gratified,  and  whose 
})0wer  had  astonished  theui,  whose  populous  cities  swarmed 
M'ith  arts  and  commerce,  and  in  whose  floating  castli's  they 
had  rode  safely  over  the  ocean.  I  ha  e  seen  a  volume  of 
the  speeches  of  these  Mohawks  presei'ved  by  Colonel 
Hchnvler  ;  thev  weiv  literally  trauslaled,  so  th.at  the  native 
idiom  was  pri'served  ;  which  insteail  of  a]>peariug  uncouth, 
seemed  to  add  to  their  sti'cngth  and  sublinuty. 

When  Colonel  tScluiyler  returnt'd  fi-om   lOnglaud,  alxnit 


H  1 


II 


« 


I 


K  I 


H 


4^ 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


tlie  year  170!),  his  nii'ce  Catulinn. '  the  subject  of  this  nar- 
rative, was  about  seven  years  old  ;  he  ha<l  a  daughter  and 
sons,  yet  this  child  was  early  distinyuislu'd  above  the  rest 
for  docility,  a  i^reat  desire  of  knowledge,  and  an  even  and 
l)leasinii^  temper  ;  this  her  uncle  early  observed.  It  was  at 
that  time  very  difficult  to  procure  the  means  of  instruction. 
in  those  inland  districts  ;  female  education  of  conseipience 
Avas  conducte<l  on  a  very  limited  scale  ;  girls  learnt  needle- 
work (in  which  they  were  indeed  both  skilful  and  ingenious) 
from  their  mothers  and  aunts  ;  they  were  taught  too  at 
that  period  to  read,  in  Dutch,  the  I>il»le  and  a  few  Calvinist 
ti'acts  of  the  devotional  kind.  l>ut  in  the  infancy  of  the 
settlement  fi'W  girls  read  P^nglish  ;  when  they  did,  they 
were  thought  accom])lisluMl  ;  they  generally  spoke  it,  how- 
ever, imperfi'ctly,  and  fi'W  weiv  taught  writing.  This  con- 
fined education  ])reclude(l  elegaiu'e  ;  yet,  though  there  was 
no  polish,  there  was  no  vulgai'ity.  The  dregs  of  the  people, 
\vho  subside  to  the  1)ottom  of  the  mass,  are  not  only  degraded 
by  aV)ject  i)overty,  but  so  utterly  shut  out  from  intercourse 
with  the  Munv  enlightened,  and  so  i'aid;le(l  with  eiivv  at 
feeling  themselves  so,  that  a  sense  of  their  condition  gradu- 
ally (lel)ases  their  minds  ;  and  this  degradation  comnunii- 
cati's  to  their  maimers,  the  vulgarity  of  which  we  complain. 


'  Ciitalina  was  tlie  yoiin<jPSt  <laii<;litor  of  Cai)t.  Johannes  Sclimler, 
Ijorn  iMiiivli  '},  1T04.  Cajit.  Jolianncs  was  the  younirest  son  of  Philip 
Pietcrst-n,  and  is  noted  for  havinfj  led  a  successful  expedition  into 
Canada  in  KiOO,  at  tlie  ajje  of  23.  He  was  mayor  of  Albany  17();}-(), 
and  died  July  27,  1747.  His  house  on  Stat((  street,  corner  of  South 
Pearl,  built  1007,  still  standi*  there,  and  istlej  oldest  house  in  Albany. 
C'atalyntje,  as  she  was  called,  married  C'ornelis  ("uyler,  who  was  for  a 
lonj^  time  aldi  rnum  of  the  second  ward,  and  was  mayor  in  1743,  to  1740, 
instead  of  Cornelis  Schuyler,  as  is  mentioned  in  some  of  the  printed 
tables  of  the  nnxyors.  She  was  the  younger  sister  of  Madame  Schuy- 
ler, tbe  heroine  of  this  work,  who  was  Margaretta,  born  January  13, 
1701.  Papers  bearing  her  signature  are  in  existence,  in  which  she 
signed  her  name  Miirgrita,  and  tradition  corrobor  .tes  her  identity  as 
the  daughter  of  Johannes  Schuyler. —  M. 


1 


'  .1 


t 


f~\ 


AFkmoiks  of  an  AxMerican  Lady. 


48 


t 


4. 


'S 


Tliis  more  particularly  ajtiilics  to  tlio  lower  class  in  towns, 
for  mere  siniplicity,  or  I'vcii  :i  rustic  Lluatncss,  1  would  \>y 
no  lucniis  call  vulgarity.  At  the  same  time  tliesi'  imem- 
l)eUishe(l  females  had  nioi'e  comjtreheiision  of  mind,  more 
variety  of  ideas,  more  in  short  ol'  what  may  ItecalU-d  origin- 
al thinking,  than  couhl  I'asily  l»e  iniauinefl.  Tlieir  thoughts 
wei-e  not  like  those  of  other  illiterate  wonu-n,  occupied  by 
the  ordinary  details  of  the  day,  and  the  gossiping  tattle  of 
the  neighlM)i'hood.  The  life  of  new  settlers,  in  a  situation 
like  thi><,  where  the  very  foundations  of  society  were  to  be 
laiil,  w;..  a  life  of  exigencies.  Kverv  individual  took  an 
interest  in  the  general  welfare,  and  contributed  their  respect- 
ive shares  of  intelligence  and  sagacity  to  aid  plans  that 
embraced  important  objects  relative  to  the  comnu)n  good. 
Every  (hiy  called  foi'th  some  new  (>xi)edient,  in  which  the 
comfort  or  advantage  of  the  whole  was  implicated  ;  for 
there  were  no  deurees  but  those  assi<;ned  to  worth  and  in- 
tc  llect.  This  singular  community  seemed  to  have  a  common 
■;  •  "k,  not  only  of  sufferings  and  enjoyments,  but  of  inform- 
ation and  ideas  ;  souu'  ])re-eminence,  in  j»oint  of  knowh'<lge 
and  abilities,  there  certaiidy  was,  yet  those  who  ])ossessed 
it  seemed  scarcely  conscious  of  their  suj)eriority  ;  the  daily 
occasions  which  called  forth  the  exertions  of  mind,  sharpened 
sagacity,  and  strengthened  character  ;  avarice  and  vanity 
were  tlx're  contiiu'd  to  very  narroNV  limits  ;  of  numey  there 
was  little  ;  and  dress  Avas,  tliough  in  some  instances  valu- 
able, very  ]>lain,  and  not  subject  to  the  caprice  of  fashion. 
The  wolves,  the  l)ears,  and  the  enraged  or  intoxicated 
savages,  that  always  hung  threatening  on  their  lK»undai'ies, 
made  tliem  more  and  more  endeared  to  each  other.  In  this 
calm  infancy  of  society,  the  rigors  of  law  sle])t,  because  the 
fury  of  turbulent  passions,  had  not  awakenetl  it.  Fashion, 
that  cai)ricious  tyrant  over  adult  communities,  had  not 
erected  her  standard  ;  that  standard,  to  which  the  lot)ks, 
the  language,  the  very  opinions  of  her  subjects  must  be 
adjusted.     Yet  no  person    ajtpeared  uncouth,  or  ill   bred, 


I 


44 


Mi;.;i(iiits  OF  AN   Amhiucan'  Lady 


1>CH'iiusi'  there  was  no  accomplislicd  staiKlai'd  of  coiuiiarison. 
Tliey  viewed  no  superioi'  witli  leai'  or  envy;  and  treated 
no  inreriof  witli  eonteinpt  oi-  cr'ielt y  ;  siTvility  and  insolence 
wei'e  t litis  eini.'dly  unknown  ;  ))erlia|is  lliey  were  less  solici- 
tous either  !o  please  or  to  shine  than  the  iiit  iii'wi'rs  of  more 
polisheil  societies  ;  Iccaiise,  in  the  lirsl  place  they  liad  no 
nioti\c'  eitlier  to  da/zle  or  <l<'ceive  ;  and  in  the  next,  had 
ihey  attempted  it,  they  l\'lt  there  was  no  assuming  a 
eharacler  with  succv'ss,  wliere  their  native  one  was  so  well 
known.  Their  manners,  if  not  ele<j;ant  and  polislied,  were 
at  least  easy  and  imU'pendeiit  :  the  constant  I'lTorts  neces- 
sary to  extend  iheir  commercial  and  au'ricultnral  possessions 
})revented  indolence  ;  and  industry  was  the  certain  path  to 
plenty.  Surrounded  on  all  sides  bv  those  whom  the  least 
instance  ol"  fraud,  insolence,  or  y-raspin^'  meanness,  would 
lia\e  reiidi'red  irreconcilable  enemies,  tlu'y  were  at  Hrst 
ohliii'ed  t(^  "assume  a  \'rtue  if  they  had  it  not  ;"  and  I'X'ery 
eirciHiistance  that  renders  \irtiK'  habitual,  may  l>e  accounted 
a  happy  one.  1  may  be  toid  that  the  virtues  1  describe 
wi're  chiefly  those  of  situation.  I  ackiiowleiln'c  it.  It  is  no 
more  to  be  expected  that  this  ecpiality,  simpru-ity,  and  mod- 
eration, should  continue  i  a  more  advance(l  state  of  society, 
than  that  the  sublime  t raiuiuillity,  and  dewy  freshness, 
Aviru'h  adds  a  nameless  charm  to  the  face  of  iiaturi',  in  the 
dawn  of  a  sumiiu'r's  morninii',  should  continue  all  day. 
Ind'cre  increased  wealth  and  extended  ti'rritory  these 
"  w  assel  days  '  (piickly  receded  ;  yet  it  is  pleasintj!;  to  in(luli;-e 
the  remembrance  of  a  spot,  where  peace  and  felicity,  the 
result  of  a  moral  I'xcellence,  dwelt  nudist urbed,  for,  alas  ! 
hardlv  t<>i"  "'i  eenturv. 


F 


I 


r, 


AfKMOlRS    r,V    AN    AmKRK'AX    LaDY. 


18 


I 


/ 


C'lIAlTKi;  V. 

Si  AIM  <>i'  Ki:i,i(;ioN  amonc  rin:  Si;rii,i:i;s  —  Sivin*  ii  oi'  iiir, 
SiA  I  !•:  oi'  S()(  iiriv  AT  Ni;\\   ^'(tI!K. 

J.  .Ml  ST  liiiisli  lliis  ui'iicriil  out  line,  l)y  sayiiiii"  ^<>iiu'tliiii<; 
oi  that  religion  wliioli  i^avi'  slaWility  and  clVcct  to  tlic  virtues 
(»r  this  iiil'aiit  society.  Tlu'ir  I'eliuioii,  tlu-ii,  like  their 
orii^inal  national  eharacler,  had  in  it  litth'  of  t\'i'\(ti-  or  en- 
thusiasm :  tiieir  manner  of  pert'onniiiLt  religious  duties  was 
re<;uhir  and  decent,  luil  cahii,  and  to  more  ardent  imagina- 
tions miLrht  appear  mechanical.  None  ever  douhled  of  the 
li'reat  trutlis  of  revelation,  yet  few  seenu'il  to  dwi'll  on  thi' 
result  witli  that  lively  deliuht  which  devotion  produces  in 
minds  of  ki'cner  sensibility.  If  their  piety,  however,  was 
without  enthusiasm,  it  was  also  without  lii^'otry;  they 
wishecl  others  to  thiid<  as  tlu'y  did,  without  showiiit;  raiicoi- 
or  contempt  towards  those  who  did  not.  In  many  individ- 
uals, whose  lives  see!iied  y'ovenied  l»y  the  priii(^ij)les  of 
reliii'ioii,  tlu'  spii-il  of  devotion  seemed  to  he  (piiescent  in 
the  heart,  and  t<>  break  forth  in  exigencies  ;  yet  that  mon- 
ster in  iiatuie,  an  impious  woman,  was  never  heard  of  among 
them. 

Indi'c'd  it  was  on  the  females  tliat  tlie  task  of  religious 
instruction  generally  devolved  ;  and  in  all  cases  wlu-re  'lie 
heart  is  interested,  Avhoever  teaclu's,  at  the  same  time  learns. 

Hefore  I  (piit  this  sultject,  I  must  observe  a  singula)' 
coincidenci'  ;  not  only  tlie  training  of  children  but  of  plants, 
such  as  needed  pecidiar  care  or  skill  to  rear  then'^  Avas  the 
female  ju-ovince.  Kveiy  one  in  town  or  country  had  a 
garden  ;  but  all  tlu'  more  hardy  plants  grew  in  the  tield, 
in  rows,  anii<lst  the  hills,  as  they  wer'  cail"(l,  of  Indian  corn. 
These  lofty  plants  slieltered  tliem  fron;  the  sun,  wiiile  the 
same  hoeing  served  for  both  ;  there  cabbages,  potatoes,  and 
other  esculent  roots,  with  variety  of  gourds  grew  to  a  great 


II 


M 


46 


Mi:m()1us  of  an   A. mi:  in  can  Lady 


si/,0,  Mini  were  of  :iii  cxft'llciif  (|ii;iiity.  Isidiicy-l'i'Miis, 
as)i;ir;iL!,us,  ccIi'iT,  L^rcal  viiricty  nl  >:il:iils  Mini  sweet  lifilis, 
cuciimhefs,  etc.,  were  only  Milinittcil  iiiti)  tlic  u:Mr<l('ii,  iiilt» 
wliicli  iiii  I'ddl  of  iiiMii  iiitnidnl  mI'Icv  it  wms  (Iu<;  in  s)ii'iiiy. 
licit'  wen-  no  trees,  lliuse  lCIH'W  in  tlie  (ircliMnI  in  liiiili  |ier- 
t'ecrKHi  ;  si  raw  lierries  mihI  iiiaiiy  liiii'Ii  llMNoreil  wild  iVuits 
of  llie  sliiMili  kind  Mbouiided  s'»  inneli  in  the  woods,  tliMt 
tliey  did  not  tliiid<  of  cnltix  Mtinu'  tlu-in  in  their  uarileiis, 
which  were  extremely  neat  hut  siiimII,  Miid  not  l>y  any  iiu'ans 
calcniatcil  for  walkinu"  in.  I  think  I  vet  see  what  !ha\cs<» 
often  heheld  l)oth  in  town  and  country,  a  ies|iectal»K'  mis- 
tress of  a  family  yoin;;-  out  to  lu'r  yardeii,  in  an  April 
nioniiiiu-,  with  her  uicat  calash,  lu'r  little  |iaintcd  haskct  of 
si'cds,  and  her  rake  over  her  shoulder,  to  hi'r  iiartU'ii  laliors. 
These  were  l»y  no  rieans  tiy-urative, 

"  l^'rom  iiior^i  till  noon,  from  noon  till  ilcwv  ('V(\" 
A  woman  in  very  easy  circumstances,  and  ahiiiidaiitly 
<;-entle  in  form  and  manners,  would  sow,  ami  iilant,  and 
rake  incessantly.  These  fair  uanleiiers  tot)  were  i^rcat 
Horists  :  tlu-ir  emulation  and  solicitude  in  this  iileasinu;  em- 
ployment, did  indeed  |noduce  "•  Howers  worthy  of  I'aradise." 
These,  tliouuh  not  set  in  "curious  knots,"  were  ranifed  in 
beds,  the  varieties  of  each  kind  h\  tliemsehcs  ;  this,  if  not 
varied  and  elegant,  was  at  least  rich  and  u,-ay.  T<>  the 
Scluiylers  this  descrijttion  did  not  apjtly  ;  they  had  gar- 
deners, and  their  gardens  were  laid  t)Ut  in  the  European 
manner. 

Perhaps  I  should  reserve  my  description  of  the  manner 
of  living  in  that  country  for  that  period,  when,  by  the 
exertions  of  a  \'v\v  humane  and  vulightened  individuals,  it 
assumed  a  more  regular  and  determinate  form.  Vet  as  the 
same  oiitline  was  j)reserved  through  all  the  stages  of  its 
progression,  I  know  not  hut  that  it  may  be  the  best  to 
sketch  it  entirely,  before  I  go  further;  that  the  few  and 
simple  facts  which  luy  nan•ati^•':  aifords  may  not  be  clogged 


i 


it 

11 


MkMoIUS    (»F    an    A.MKIUCAN    La1»V 


47 


-ft- 


^f 


^y  t'XplMn.'ilioiis  I't'hifixc  to  tlu'  citstoms,  or  miy  other  |i('cii- 
li;iriti('s  wliicli  c'lii  only  l»i'  uiulcrstood  l)v  ;i  |)r('\ious  ;ic- 
(|ii;iinf:iii('('  witli  tlic  ii;itiii-i'  of  the  coiiiilry,  its  |iolitic;il 
rt'I.'itioiis,  ;iii(l  tlic  iiiMiiiU'i's  of  the  |ico|)lc  :  my  rccolU'i-tioii 
all  lliis  wliilc  lias  hi-cii  merely  conliiuMl  to  Albjiiiy  Mini  its 
pfecincts.  At  New  York  tlieri'  was  always  a  ujoveiiioi',  a 
few  t  i'oo]is,  and  a  kind  of  ;i  litttle  court  kept;  there  too 
was  a  mixed,  and  in  some  decree,  jtoi'shed  society.  'I't)tliis 
the  accession  of  many  i'amilies  of  I''rench  huifonots, '  rather 
ahove  the  mi-Idlini;'  rank,  contrilmted  not  a  little  :  those 
conscientious  exiles  had  more  knowledi;'e  and  piety  than 
any  otlicr  class  of  the  iidiahitants  ;  their  reliuioii  si'cmed 
iiidce*]  endeaivd   to  them  what   they  had   siifVere<|   for 

adhcrinu'  to  it.  Their  number  ami  wealth  w  is  such,  as 
enabled  them  to  build  not  only  a  strei't,  but  a  very  respect- 
able church  in  the  new  city,  hi  this  place  of  worship  ser\  ice 
continued  to  be  cclel)ratcd  in  the  I"'rciich  lanijuai^e  within 
my  I'ccolh'ction,  though  the  oriu,iual  couii'i-eii-ation  was  by 
that  time  much  blended  in  the  mass  of  general  society.  It 
was  the  custom  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  upper  si'ttlemeiit, 
M'ho  had  any  pretensions  to  sujterioi- ctilture  or  polish,  among 
which  numbt'r  Col.  Schuyler  st<»od  foremost,  to  yo  once  in 
a  yeai"  to  New  York,  wlu're  all  tlu'  law-court,  wei-e  held, 
and  all  the  im[)ortant  business  of  the  pi'ovince  trausacte<l, 
liere  to(»  they  si'ut  their  children  occasionally  to  reside 
with  their  relations,  and  t;)  leai'u  the  inori'  polished  nninners 
ami  laiijiuau'c  of  the  capital.  The  iidiabitants  of  that  city, 
on  the  othi'r  hand,  delighti'd  in  a  summer  excursion  to 
Albany.  The  Leautiful  and  in  sonu'  jtlaces  highly  singular 
baid<s  of  the  I'iver,  remlering  n  voyage  to  its  source  both 
amusing    and   interesting,  wliile  the  pi'imitive   manners  of 


'  Properly  so  written  ])crlia])s,  becnusr'  derived  from  iluffcii,  or 
Hugo,  a  licretic  or  conspirator,  a  term  finally  {riven  to  the  Frencli 
protestanta  of  the  aixteenth  ceuti'y,  and  now  come  to  be  written  Hu- 
guenots.—  M. 


-.iJii'aiL 


48 


^^^;MolHs  OK  AX  Amkhican  Lady, 


till'  inhabif.iiits  divcitcil  die  Lf.iy  and  idlr,  aixl  ploiisc'il  the 
tliiitii^lit  fill  and  spccnlal  ivc. 

Let  nicnow  lie  indnlycd  in  drass  Mii;  a  |ii(t  ni'c  of  t  lie  altodc! 
of  my  cliildliuod  jnst  as,  at  this  time,  it  incscnts  ilx-lf  to  my 
mind. 


CIIAPTEK  VI. 

I)i:S(  IMI'IION   OF   Al.nANV .M.\NNi;i!   Ol"   LlVIN<i    lllKliK. 

X  III'-  city  of  Albany  was  strctclii'd  alonuf  the  banks  of  tliii 

Hudson  ;  one  very  wide  and  loiiti'  street  lay  paralli'l   to  the 

ri\i'i',  the  intermediate  space  between  it  and  the  slioi'c  beinn' 

occii|»ied   l»y  gardens.      A   small   but    steep   iiill    rose  aboxc 

the  centi'c  of  the  town,  on   which    stood   a    foft,   intended 

(but  very  ill  adapted)  for  the  defense  of  the  place,  and  of 

the    neiu'liborinn'    counti'y.      i''rom    tlie    foot     of     this    hill, 

iiiiother  street  was  built,  slopini;'  |'fetty  rapidly  down  till  it 

joini'cl  the  one   befoi-e   mentioned  that  ran   alonji,"  the  liviT. 

This  street    was  still   wider    than   the    other  ;  it    was  only 

])ave(l   on  (>ach  side,  the  middle  beiuL;;  oi-cupied   by  juiblie. 

I'diliees.     These  consisted  of  a  mai'ket  ]»lace,  a  liMiard  house, 

!i  town  hall,   and   the  KnoTish    and   Dutch   churclu's.     The 

Kniilish  church,  iK'lonyinu-  to  the  episcopal  persuasion,  and 

in  the  diocese  of  the  bishop  (tf  London,  stood  at  the  foot  of 

the  hill,  at  tin'  upper  end  of  the  street.     The  Duti-h  church 

was  situated  at  the  bottom  of  the  descent  where  the  slri'ct 

tei'ininated  ;  two  irregular  streets,  not  so  broad,  but  ecpially 

Ion*;,   ran   parallel   to  those,   and  a   few   e\ en   ones  openeil 

between  them.     The  town,  in  ))ropoi'tion  to  its  population, 

occupied  a  ijreat  space  of  rrround.     This  city,  in  short,  was 

a  kind  of  semi-rural    establishment  ;  evei-y  house   had  its 

garden,  well,  and  n  little  green  behind  ;  before  every  door 

a  tree  was  planted,  rendered  interesting  by  being  coeval 


r 


» 


y 

as 
>ls 
or 
•ul 


MllMOIItS    (U'    AN     A.MKKKA.N     Ii\l»Y 


49 


It 


*-* 


with  soiiu'  Ix'Idvcd  incmUcr  nf  tlic  ramlly  ;  iniiny  ol'  their 
tri'i's  were  of  a  |ir(>iliuiotis  si/.e  and  extraordinary  Ueaiity, 
hut  without  reyiilarily,  every  one  jihintinix  the  kind  tliat 
hest  |tleased  him,  or  whicli  he  thoULjiit  wouhl  alToid  tlu! 
most  a<freeal>le  sliade  to  the  open  portico  at  his  (hior  which 
was  surrounded  l»y  seats,  and  ascende(l  by  a  lew  steps.  It 
was  in  t  hi'se  t  hat  each  <h>mesiic  yi-oup  was  seated  in  summer 
oveninijs  to  enjoy  the  l»aiiny  twiiii^ht,  or  serenely  (dear 
mooidiylit.  Mach  family  had  a  cow,  I'eil  in  a  common 
l)astiire  at  the  end  of  the  town.  In  the  evenintj  they  re- 
turned all  tou'ether,  of  their  own  accord,  with  their  tinkling 
hells  huiii;'  at  their  nin-ks,  aloni4'  the  wide  and  grassy  street, 
to  their  wonted  shelteriuij  trees,  to  he  milke(l  at  their 
master's  doors.  Xothiii!^  could  he  moi'e  pleasintj  to  a 
simple  and  heiievolent  mind  than  to  see  thus,  at  out,'  view, 
all  the  inhabitants  of  a  town,  which  contained  not  one  vi'ry 
rich  or  very  |)oor,  veiy  knowing'  or  very  itfuoi'aut,  very  rude 
or  vi'ry  polislu'd  individual  ;  to  see  all  these  children  of 
natui'e  I'ujoyint^  in  easy  indolence,  oi-  social  intercourse, 

"  Tlic  cool,  tht!  t'rajrnint,  luul  the  dns/.y  liour,"' 

ch)theil  in  the  plainest  liahits,  and  with  minds  as  undisguised 
and  artless.  These  pi'imitive  beings  wcvv  dispei'setl  in 
j)()rches  gi'ouped  according  to  similarity  of  years  and  inclin- 
ations. At  oiu' door  young  mat  rons,  at  another  the  eldi'i'S 
of  the  people,  at  a  third  the  youths  and  miiideiis,  gaily 
chatting  or  singing  togetlu-r,  while  the  children  playeil 
round  the  trees,  or  waite(l  by  tlie  eows,  for  the  chief  ingre- 
dient of  their  frugal  supper,  which  they  generally  ate  sitting 
on  the  steps  in  thi'  o|)en  air.  This  picture,  so  familiar  to  my 
imagination,  has  led  nu'  away  from  my  pui'pose,  which  was 
to  ilescribe  tlu'  rural  economy,  and  modes  of  living  in  tliis 
patriarchal  city.  At  one  end  of  the  town,  as  1  observed 
before,  was  ;i  common  ])astnre  wlu-re  all  the  cattle  belong- 
ing to  the  iidiabitants  grazed  together.  A  never-failing 
instinct  guidetl  each  home  to  her  master's  door  in  tlie  even- 


50 


Mi;miiii;s  ok  an    Amkisican   Ti\i>v. 


'i  I 


i 


iiii,',  wliciT  Im  inn-  ln'Mlt'<l  will)  :i  •"<•«    \ cn'rlMlili'"^   :iimI  ,i  little 
wall,   wliitli    is    iii(li<|irii>;ilily    ii<'C('>is;ii y    I'T    r.ittic    in    this 
country,  llu-v  piilicntly   wiiilfl    lln'  iii;^lit  ;   ;in<l   :ill<i-   iiciii!:; 
niillM'd  in  the   inoininn,  tiny  wrnt    oil'  in  slow   .intl    rrnnlMr 
proci'ssiiin  to  ihoir  |>;isliirc.      At   tlif   .it  lwi- cml  of   llntown 
was   a  rcitilc   jilain   aloni;-   tlic    lixt'i',   tlircr   niili's   in  Icn^tli, 
ami   iH'af    a    mile   hroad.      This    was  :ill    iliviilcij    into   lots, 
wht'i-c  fvci'v  inhahitant  raised  linlian  coni  snllii'lcnt  I'oi'  the 
foot!  of  two  or  thiTf  slaves   (t  he  greatest  niiniher  t  hat   each 
I'ainilv  e\»'r  |>ossesse(l),  ant!  lor  his  h(»fses,  pii^s,  ami  jionltfy  : 
their  llonr  ami  ..tln-r  yrain  they  |nirchase.|    I'loni  iarnuTs  in 
the  vieinitv.      Al>o\e  the  town,  a  lonn'   slceteh  to  the    west- 
ward   was    oeiiipied    liist    hy    sandy    hills,    on    whieh    u'few 
l»ill>erri«'s  of  nneonimon  si/.e  and  llavor  in  |>rodiL;ions  (|min- 
tities  ;   heyond    rise   hein'Iils  of  a    |>oor  hnni;ry   soil,   thinly 
covered    with    stunted    |>ines,   or  dwarf    oak.      ^'el     in    this 
coni|tai-alively   barren    tract,   there   wi'i'c   scvi  ral    wild    and 
|»ictures(|ue  spots,  whefc  small  hrooks,  lunnim:  in  dee|»  and 
I'icli    bottoms,    nourished    on    their    hanks    e\fry    \ ciictahh' 
Iteauty  ;   there  some  of  the   most    industrious  early  settlefs 
had  cleare.l  the  luxuriant    wood   from  these  charmint;'  little 
li-Iens,  ami   huilt  neat    cotta«j,-es    fcU"  their  slaves,  surroumled 
with  little  gardens  ami  orchards,  sheltered  fi'oni  every  hlast, 
wil(''y   i.ictures(|ue,    and    richly    itro.luctivc.     Thosi'    snndl 
se(im'stered  vales  ha<l  an  attraction  that   1  know  not  how  to 
dcscrihe,  and  which  prohahly  ri'sulted  from  the  air  of  deep 
n'posc  that    reigned   there,   and   the  strons;:  contrast    which 
tlu'v  cxhihited   t<»  the  surroundinu'  sterility.      One  of  thi'so 
was  ill  my  time  iuhabiti'd  hy  a  lu'rmit.      lie   was  a  l-'ronch- 
man,  and  did   not  seem   to  inspire  much    veneiation   anninu: 
the    Albanians.      They   im.auined,    or   had    iu'ard,    that     he 
ri'tircd   to  that    solitnde  in   n'nn>rsc   for  s(une   fatal   duel  in 
which  lu"  hatl    been  enuajictl  ;  ami  considered    him  as  an 
idolator  bi'causi'  he  had   an  ima.<rc  of  the  vir<(iii  in  his  hut. 
I  think  he  retired  loCan.a.la  at  last  ;  but  I  rememl>er  being 
ready  to   worshiit  him   for  the  sanctity  with   whii'h  my  im- 


^> 


■  >• 


t 


\ 


T 


Mkmuihs  oi    an   Amkkhw   I,\iiv. 


r.l 


MLCiiiiitioii  iiivolcil  liiiii,  mikI  iM-ititr  cniclly  <lis:i|i|Miiiitf<l 
ItcfjiiiM'  I  \v:is  imt  |iri'iiiitl<'(|  \i<  \isil  liiiii.  'I'lii-sr  rultntiis 
were  in  siiiiiiMcr  ncciiiiicil  Itv  mmhc  hI  iIic  iif''rurs  wlm  <iil- 
li\;itti|  llic   niiHiinls  ;ilM)iit   tlinii,  .-nid   mt\<m|   ms  ;i  |i|,iim'  n\' 

ii>\ri||     Ijlit'l'tv     to    lllr    I'liililiTIl    (il     llic    r.-llllilv    ••ll    h(>|i)|;iVH 

'    •  •       _  •  •    » 

:iii<l   ;i    iiiiixfiy    lor  the    yuimt;-    iicirriics   wlumi    it    w.is    iIm- 

ciistniii  III  ic.'ii'  \('iv  Inidi'iK ,  ;iiii|  iiislnicl   \rrv  t':in'riill  v. 


I 


in 
III 


•  ■• 


41 


ciiArrKi:  vn. 

( Ji;\  I  i.i;  TidiA  iMKNr  oi'  Si,.\\i;s  amom;  i  in;  i\r.nAMANs  — 
l»Ki'i,i:(  I  IONS  o\  Skijvi  riJ>K. 

XN  (ln'  sitcicly  I  mmi  (Icscrihiiij;,  cNrii  llic  i|;irk  asjx'cf  df 
sl.'iNci-y  \\;is  sDrtciicil  iiitii:i  smile.  Ami  1  nnisl,  in  jnslicf 
to  the  Ix  I  |iu.s>^il»lc  m;is(«'rs,  s;iy,  tlmt  :i  m'c;it  ilc'il  <>\'  tliiil 
lr:im(iiillily  ami  cnmrorl,  tncall  it  Ity  nu  liij^'licr  name,  wliicli 
(listinijMisliecl  \]\\s  society  iVnm  ;ill  otlicrs,  \v;is  owiiiLj  to  the 
re!  a  I  inn  l>et  ween  master  ami  ser\  ant  l»ein^  l)et  ter  iin<lersli)<Ml 
lii're  t  lian  in  any  ot  lier  |»lai'c.  iiCt  inc  imt  l»c  (letesled  as  an 
aihocate  lor  slavery  wlieii  1  say  that  I  think  i  liasc  never 
seen  |M'<»|>le  so  lia|i|»y  in  scrvilmie  as  the  (Inmcslicsnr  the 
Albanians.  ()ne  reason  was  (for  I  do  not  now  speak  of 
tlie  virtues  of  tlic'r  masters),  that  e.ich  family  hail  few  of 
them,  and  that  there  were  no  field  negroes.  They  would 
remind  one  of  .\l»ralianrs  servants,  who  were  all  horn  in  the 
house,  wliich  was  csact  ly  their  case.  They  were  l»a|»ti/ed 
too,  and  shared  the  same  reliifious  instruction  with  the 
children  of  the  family  ;  and,  for  the  first  years,  there  was 
little  or  no  iliU'ercnci^  with  regard  to  j'ood  or  clothing 
bctwc'cn  their  children  and  those  of  their  masters. 

When  a  negro-womairs  child  attained  the  age  of  three 
years,  the  tirst  new  year's  day  after,  it  was  solemnly  pre- 
sented to  a  son  or  daughter,  or  other  young  relative  oi"  the 


.;, 


:J 


I  ! 


Q'^ 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady 


family,  who  was  of  the  same  sex  witli  tlie  chiM  so  proscnted. 
The  child  to  whom  the  yoniijr  noufro  was  <;i\ni  immcdiatt'ly 
invscntcd  il  witli  some  piece  of  money  and  a  paii'  of  shoes  ; 
and  from  that  (h-iy  the  strongest  attacliment  subsisted  Ix'- 
tween  tlie  (h)mestic  and  the  destined  owner.  I  ha\('  no 
where  met  with  instances  of  friendship  more  ti'n(U'r  and 
generous  than  that  whicli  here  subsisted  between  tlie  slavi's 
and  their  masters  and  mistresses.  Extraordinary  proofs  (»f 
them  have  been  often  given  in  the  coui'se  of  hunting  or 
Indian  trading,  when  a  voung  man  and  liis  slave  have  gone 
to  tlie  trackless  woo<ls  together,  in  tlie  case  of  iits  of  the 
ague,  loss  of  a  canoe,  and  other  casualties  hap]»ening  near 
hostile  Indians.  Tlie  slave  has  been  known,  at  tlu'  immi- 
nent risk  of  his  life,  to  carry  his  disabled  master  through 
trackless  woods  with  lal»or  and  fidelity  scarce  cri'dible  ; 
and  the  master  has  been  e(|ually  tender  on  similar  oc.  isions 
of  the  humble  friend  who  stuck  closer  than  a  brothei'  ;  who 
was  ba]>ti/-e(l  M'ith  the  same  baptism,  nurtured  under  the 
same  roof,  an<l  often  rocke(l  in  the  same  cradli'  with  him- 
self. These  <fifts  of  donu'stics  to  the  vounger  nu-mbcrs  of 
the  family,  were  not  irrevocable  :  yet  they  were  veiy  rarely 
withdrawn.  If  the  kitchen  familv  did  not  increase  in  pro- 
portion  to  that  of  the  master,  yoimg  children  v.cre  purchased 
from  some  familv  where  thev  abounded,  to  furnish  those 
nttacluMl  servant",  to  the  rising  progeny.  They  were  ncvei- 
sold  without  consulting  their  mother,  who,  if  expert  and 
sagacious,  had  a  great  deal  to  say  in  the  famil} ,  and  woidd 
not  allow  her  chihl  to  go  'uto  any  family  with  whose  do- 
mestics she  was  not  ac<piainted.  These  negi"<i-wonu'n 
pifpied  themselves  on  teaching  their  children  to  be  i'Xci>lU'iit 
servants,  w(dl  knowing  servitude  to  be  their  lot  foi"  life, 
and  that  it  ct>uld  only  be  sweetened  by  making  themselves 
particularly  useful,  ami  excelling  in  their  depai'tment.  If 
they  did  their  work  well,  it  is  astonishing,  Avhen  I  ri'collect 
it,  what  liberty  of  speich  was  allowed  to  those  active  and 
prudent  mothers.     They  would  chide,  rei)rove,  and  expos- 


! 


.«a^ 


T 
I 


wasvisrxm^:j:  -Tj  .-^'.i  j^r-f*.- 


I 


.tOv 


Memoirs  of  an   Amkhk'an  Lady, 


63 


tul.'ito  in  a  inainuT  that  wc  would  not  endure  from  our 
liiro(l  servants  ;  and  sometimes  i-xert  fully  as  much  author- 
ity over  the  children  of  the  I'amily  as  the  jiarents,  eonseious 
that  tlu'V  wei'e  entirolv  in  their  power.  Thevdid  not  crush 
freedom  of  speech  iind  opinion  in  those  l»y  whom  thevknew 
they  wei-e  Iteloved,  and  who  watched  witli  incessant  caro 
ovi'r  their  ini"i'est  and  cond'ort.  Affectionate  and  faithful 
as  these  home-l»re(l  servants  were  in  ii'eneral,  there  were 
some  instances  (l)ut  very  few)  ()f  those  who,  throuL!:h  levity 
of  mind,  or  a  love  of  Tuptor  or  finery,  hetrayetl  their  trust, 
or  hahituallv  neii!:le<ted  their  dutv.  In  these  cases,  after 
every  means  had  lieen  used  to  reform  them,  no  severe 
jtunishnients  were  inflicted  at  home.  l>ut  the  terrihle 
sentence,  wliich  they  dreaded  worse  than  death,  was 
jiassed  —  they  were  sohl  to  Jamaica.  The  necessity  of 
doinu:  this  was  bewaiU'd  l)y  tlu'  whole  family  as  a  most 
dreadful  calamity,  and  the  culpi-it  was  carefully  watche<l 
on  his  Avay  to  New  York,  lest  he  should  evade  the  sentence 
hy  self-destruction. 

One  must  have  lived  amoiiij  tliose  placid  ami  humane 
people  to  l>i'  sensible  that  servitude,  hojx'less,  landless  ser- 
vitude', could  exist  with  so  little  servility  and  fear  on  the 
one  side,  and  so  little  harshness  or  even  sternness  of 
authority  in  the  other.  Tn  Kurope,  the  footing  on  which 
service  is  ]»lace<l  in  conse(pience  of  the  corruptions  of  society, 
hardens  the  heart,  destroys  confidi'uce,  and  embitters  life. 
The  deceit  and  venalitv  of  servants,  not  absolutelv  dishonest, 
]»uts  it  out  <»f  one's  power  to  love  or  trust  tlu'in.  And  if, 
in  hopes  of  havinu;  ]ieople  attached  to  us,  who  will  neither 
betrav  our  coididenci',  nor  corru])t  our  children,  we  are  at 
pains  to  rear  1  hem  from  childhood,  and  ^ive  them  a  religi'Mis 
and  moral  education  ;  afti'r  all  our  labor,  others  of  their 
own  I'lass  sediu-e  tlu'm  away  to  those  who  can  aff'ord  to  ])ay 
higher  for  their  services.  This  is  not  the  case  in  a  few 
remote  districts.     Where  surroundinu;  mountains  seem  to 


L     ' 


o4 


^fllMOIRS    OF    AN    AmERITAN    LaI»Y, 


cxclmlc  tlu'  coiitMi^ion  of  tlu'  worM,  soim-  ti'iiccs  <»t'  iidclily 
ami  alVc'clioii  amoiiu;  dniiu'stics  still  remain.  But  it  must 
lie  remarked,  (liat,  in  those  \ cry  districts,  it  is  usual  to '.real 
interiors  with  eoui'tesv  and  kindness,  and  to  consider  those 
domestics  who  marry  out  <d"  tlu;  family  as  holding  ;i  kind 
of  relation  to  it,  and  still  elaiminy-  |)rotection.  In  short, 
the  corru]ition  of  that  class  of  people  is,  doubtless,  to  be 
atli'il>uti'd  io  the  example  of  their  su|»eviors.  But  how  se- 
verely are  those  sui»eriors  iitniished?  Why  this  general 
indill'erence  al»out  honu'  ;  why  are  the  household  gods,  why 
is  the  sacred  hearth  so  wantonly  abandone(l  ?  Alas!  the 
charm  of  home  is  <lestroyed,  since  our  childri'u,  educated 
in  distant  st'ininaries,  are  strangers  in  the  paternal  mansion; 
and  our  sei'\ants,  like  men'  machines,  move  on  their  nu'r- 
cenary  ti'ack  without  feeling  or  exciiiiig  one  kind  or  ge- 
nercuis  sentiun'iit.  llouu',  thus  despoii'd  of  all  its  charms, 
is  no  longer  the  scene  of  any  enjoynient  I)Ut  such  as  wealth 
can  purchase.  At  the  sauu'  tinu'  we  feel  tliei'c  a  nameless 
cold  privation,  and  conscious  that  mont-y  can  coin  the  same 
I'll joyments  wit  h  mort'  \  ai'iety  elsewhere,  w  i-  substitute  these 
futile  and  evanescent  pleasui't's  for  that  pereimial  spring  of 
calm  satisfaction,  "without  o'er  Howiug  full,''  which  is  fed 
by  the  exei'ci^e  of  the  kindly  affections,  and  soon  indeed 
must  those  staguati'  where  there  are  not  pro])er  objects  to 
excite  them.  I  have  l»een  fort'ed  into  this  painful  <ligivssion 
by  una\  <»id;dtle  comparisons.     To  return  : 

Ami<lst  all  this  mild  and  really  tender  indidgenee  to  tlieir 
iK'groes,  these  colonists  had  not  the  smallest  sern])k'  of 
conscience  with  regard  to  the  right  by  which  they  held 
them  in  subjection.  Had  that  bi'cn  the  case,  their  singular 
humanity  would  have  been  incomjtatible  with  coutimied 
injustice.  But  the  truth  is,  that  of  law  the  generality  of 
those  |ii'ople  knew  little  ;  and  of  philosophy,  nothing  at  all. 
They  sought  tlu'ir  codi'  of  moi'ality  in  the  Bible,  and  there 
imagined  tli  'v  found  this  hapless  race  condenuied  to  per- 


^k^ 


*^J 


T:fw^-T.-ii,;-p.y  pi---  .'■^■-.-i-rsr  - 


Memoirs  of  an  Amkuican  Lady 


55 


.f 
.1 
(I 

to 


■ir 
of 
.1 
ill" 
"(I 
of 


potiial  slavery  ;  and  t]ioiii>jlit  iiotliinij  reinaincd  for  tlu-ni 
but  to  liylilcn  tlic  cliains  of  their  fellow  C'liristians,  after 
liaviiiLj  made  tlieiii  such.  I'his  I  neitlier  ''extenuate/''  nor 
"set  down  in  inaliee,"  but  merely  reconl  the  fact.  At  the 
same  time  it  is  but  justice  to  record  also  a  sinuuiar  instance 
of  moral  deliea^'V  tlistiuyuisiiinn'  this  settlenu'nt  from  every 
other  in  the  like  circumstances  :  ti)ou<>h  from  their  simple 
and  kindly  modes  of  life,  tlu'y  were  from  infani-y  in  habits 
of  familiarity  with  these  hund)le  friends,  yet  bein^  eaily 
taught  that  nature  had  placed  between  them  a  l)arrier, 
which  it  was  in  a  high  di'gree  criminal  and  disgi-aceful  to 
pass,  they  considered  a  mixture  of  such  distinct  I'aces  with 
abhorrence,  as  a  violation  of  her  laws.  This  greatly  con- 
duced to  the  preservation  of  family  happiness  and  concord. 
An  ambiguous  race,  which  the  law  does  not  acknowledge  ; 
and  who  (if  they  have  any  moral  sense,  must  be  as  much 
ashamed  of  their  part'uts  as  these  last  are  of  thi'm),  are  '\i- 
tainly  a  dangerous,  because  degra<le(l  part  of  the  commun- 
itv.  How  niuch  more  so  must  be  those  unfortunate  beings 
who  stand  in  the  predicament  of  the  bat  in  the  fabh',  whom 
both  birds  and  beasts  disowned  ?  1  am  sorry  to  say  that 
the  ju-ogress  of  the  IJritish  ai-my,  when  it  arrived,  might  be 
traced  l>ya  spurious  and  ambiguous  race  of  this  kind.  l>ut 
of  a  mulatto  born  before  their  ai-rival  I  oidy  remend)er  a 
sinirle  instance  :  and  from  the  regret  and  wonder  it  occa- 
sioiied,  considered  it  as  singular.  Colonel  Schuyler,  of 
whom  I  am  to  si)eak,  had  a  relation  so  weak  and  defective 
in  capacity,  that  he  never  was  intrusted  with  anything  of 
liis  own,  and  lived  an  idle  bachelor  about  the  family,  in 
process  of  time  a  favt)rite  negro-woman,  to  the  great  olfence 
and  scandid  of  the  family,  bore  a  child  to  him,  whosi'  color 
gave  testimony  to  the  relation.  The  boy  was  carefully 
educated  ;  and  when  he  grew  uj*,  a  farm  was  allotted  to 
him  well  stocked  and  fertile,  but  in  "depth  of  woods  em- 
braced," aljout  two  miles  back  from  the  family  seat.  .\ 
destitute  white  woman,  w  ho  had  somehow  wandered  from 


56 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady, 


the  older  colonies,  wiis  induced  to  ninny  liini  ;  and  all  the 
branches  of  the  family  thought  it  iiicund)ent  on  them  now 
and  then  to  |»ay  a  ((niet  visit  to  Chalk  (for  so,  for  some 
nnknown  reason,  they  always  calleil  him).  1  have  heen  'n 
Chalk's  houwe  myself,  and  a  most  comfortahle  ahode  it  was  ; 
but  considered  him  as  a  mysterious  and  anomalous  bcin<^. 

I  have  dwelt  the  longer  on  this  singular  instance  of  sla- 
very existing  (h'void  of  its  attendant  hoi'rors,  hi'cause  the 
tidelity  and  alfection  resulting  from  a  bond  of  union  so 
early  fonned  between  master  and  servant,  eontrihuted  so 
very  much  to  the  safety  of  individuals,  as  well  as  the  gen- 
eral comfort  of  society,  as  will  hereafter  ai)i)ear. 


1 


CIIAPTKR  VIII. 

KniCATION   AM)   KAIM.V   HaIUTS  OK  THE  AlHANIANS. 

XlIK  foundations  both  of  friendship  and  still  tenderer 
attachnu'uts  were  here  lai<l  very  early  by  an  institution 
which  I  .always  thought  had  been  peculiar  to  Albany,  till 
I  fouiul  in  Dr.  Moore's  \'iew  of  Society  on  the  Continent 
an  aiH'ouut  of  a  similar  custom  subsisting  in  Geneva.  The 
children  of  the  town  were  all  divided  into  companies,  as 
they  called  tlu'm,  from  five  to  six  years  of  age,  till  they 
became  marriageable.  1  low  those  companies  lirst  origiri- 
ated,  oi-  what  were  their  exact  regulations,  I  cannot  say  ; 
though  r,  belonging  to  none,  occasionally  mixed  with  seve- 
ral, yet  always  as  a  stranger,  though  I  spoke  their  current 
language  fluently.  Every  company  contained  as  many 
bovs  as  girls.  But  I  do  not  know  that  there  was  anv  limit- 
ed  numbei-  ;  oidy  this  I  recollect,  that  a  boy  and  a  girl 
of  each  company,  who  were  older,  cleverer,  or  had  some 
other  preeminence  above  the  rest,  were  called  heads  of  the 
company,  and  as   such,  obeyed  by  the  others.     Whether 


i 


Memoirs  or  an  Ameuican  Lady. 


67 


'C- 

l>t 

ly 

it- 
ill 
Ine 
Ibe 

ler 


•  ^ 


tlioy  were  vott'il  in,  or  altaiiUMl  tlicir  invi'iniiu'iicc  by  a  tacit 
ackiiowkMlyiiu'iit  ol"  tlicir  siipi-riority,  I  know  not,  but  bow- 
ever  it  was  attained  it  was  never  disputetb     'Die  eoinpany 
of  iittk'  ebibb-en  bad  also  tbeir  beads.     All  tbe  cliiblren  of 
tlie  same  a,!i;e  were  not  in  one  company  ;  tbere  weri!  at  least 
tbree  or  four  of  e(|iial  agi's,  wbo  bad  a  strong  rivalry  witb 
eacli    otber  ;  and    cbildren   of    dilferciit    ages  in  tbe  same 
family,  belonged  to  ditfcrent   companies.      Wlicri'xcr  tbere 
is  bunian  nature  tbere  will  be  a  (U'gree  of  emulation,  strife, 
and  a  desire  to  lessi'ii  otiiers,  tbat  we  may  exalt  ourselves. 
Dispassionate  as  my  friends  comparatively  were,  and   bred 
uj)  in  tbe  bigbest    attainable    i-andor  and  innocence,  tliey 
I'cganled  tlie  company  most  in  comi)etitioii  witb  tbeir  owi. 
witb  a  degree  of  jealous  animosity.      Kaidi  company,  at  a 
certain  time  of  tbe  year,  went  in  a  body  to  gatber  a  jtarticu- 
lar  kind  of  berries,  to  tbe   bills.      It  was  a  sort  of  annual 
festival,  atti'iidi'd  witb   religious  punctuality.      Kvi'ry  coni- 
])any  bad  an  unifoini  for  tbis  |)urpose  ;  tbat  is  to  say,  very 
pretty  liglit   baskets   made   l»y  tbe   Indians,   witb   Inls  and 
bandies,  wbicb  bung  over  tbe  arm,  and  were  adorned  witb 
varicms  colors.     One  com|)any  would  never  allow  tbe  least 
degree  of  taste  to  tbe  otber  in  tbis  iustanci'  ;  and  was  sure 
to  vent  its  wbole  stock  of  spleen  in  decrying  tbe  rival   bas- 
kets.    Nor  would  tbey  ever  admit  tbat  tbe  rival  company 
gatbered  near  so  miicb  fruit  on  tbese  excursions  as  tbey 
did.     Tbe  parents  of  tlu'se  cliiblren  seemed  very  inucli  to 
encourage  tliis  manner  of  marsballiiig  and  dividing  tbem- 
selves.     Every  cliild  was  permitted  to  entertain  tbe  wbolo 
company  on  its  birtb-day,  and  once  besides,  during  wintir 
and  spring.     Tbe  master  and  mistress  of  tbe  family  always 
were  bound  to  go  fi'om  bome  on  tbese  occasions,  wbile  some 
old  domestic  was  left  to  attend  and  watcb  over  tliem,  witb 
an  ample  ju-ovision  of  tea,  cbocolate,  preserved  and  dried 
fruits,  iiiits,  and  cakes  of  various  kinds,  to  wbicb  was  added 
cider  or  a  syllabub,  for  tbese  young  friends  met  at  four,  and 
did  not  i)art  till  nine  or  ten,  and  amused  tbemselves  witb 


i| 


lf 


\t 


1 
( 

L 

1 

AS 


Mkmoiks  oI'   an    Amkhk'an  I-ahv 


I  lie  ulnntsl  oMit'ly  MihI  rrrcildiii  in  :iiiy  w.iy  llicir  r:iii«v  <li«'- 
lalcd.  I  s|»t';ik  iVinii  lu'.irs.iy  ;  lor  iiu  iicrson  |li;il  <lncs  ii<»l 
Ix'Idiii^  lo  llic  i'('m|>;uiv  is  vwv  n<lniillc(i  (<>  ilicsc  iiK'cliiij^s  : 
oilier  cliildrcii  or  vomii:;  |>('<i|i|('  \  isii  occisioiinlly.  Mini  Mrc 
civilly  I  it'.ilcd,  Imt  (licy  iidmit  of  no  inliniMcics  licyond  llicir 
coni]i;in\.  Til*'  const'tincncc  of  tlicsc  «'\clnsi\c  ;ind  ciirly 
inl  iniiii'ics  w  .is,  lliiil,  i^iow  n  n)»,  il  \\:is  icclvoncd  :i  soil  nl' 
;i|)osl;ic\  to  niMrr\  onl  of  one's  eoiniciny.  And  indeed  il 
did  iiol  often  li,i|i|ieii.  Tlie  Liirls,  Irom  llie  e\;ini|ile  of  t  heir 
iintlliers,  iMllu'r  lli;in  ;iny  eoin|tnlsioii,  Iteeiinie  wvy  e;irly 
not.ilde  ;ind  iinlnsti-ions,  l)ein<4'  eonslMiilly  ein|i|oyed  in 
knillinn'  slcekinu's,  ;ind  ni;ikinn' elollies  lor  llie  I'.'iinilv  and 
slaves;  ||ie\  excn  niaile  all  tlie  lutys'  elollies.  Tliis  was 
I  he  more  lu'cessarv,  as  all  ai'lieles  of  rlolhin^-  were  e.\- 
treineh  dear.  Thoii-j^h  all  ihe  necessaries  of  lil'e,  and  some 
Inxwrics,  ahounded,  nioncx,  as  yd,  was  a  scarce  cominodilv. 
This  iiiduslrv  was  the  more  lo  he  admired,  as  ehildicn  were 
here  iiidiili;ed  to  a  dciircc  thai,  in  oiir  \itiatei|  staU  ol'  so- 
ciety, would  have  rendi're(|  them  oond  lor  not  liiiiLi'.  I>nl 
lliere,  where  amhilion,  \anity,  and  the  more  Inrlmlenl  |tas- 
sioic  were  scarce  aw  akened  ;  where  pride,  foiinded  on  '»irtli, 
oiany  exii'rnal  |»rei'minence,  was  hardly  known;  and  where 
llu'  alVeclions  llourished  lair  and  vii^'orous,  unchecked  Iiv 
tlie  thorns  and  thistli's  with  which  our  niimls  are  cursed  in 
a  more  advanced  stale  ol"  I'elineinenI,  alVection  restrained 
|iarents  I'rom  keeiiiiiu"  thcii'  children  at  a  distance,  and  in- 
tliclin<;  harsh  imnishments.  IJiit  then  tlu'y  did  not  treat 
them  like  apes  oi-  jiarrots  ;  hy  teachinj^'  them  lo  talk  with 
l)oirowe<l  woi'ds  and  ideas,  and  at'lerwards  u'ralit'yini;'  their 
own  vanity  l»y  exhihit inn'  these  |)remature  wondei's  to 
i'om|>any,  t»r  rejicatinu  their  sayings.  They  weic  tendt-rly 
I'herished,  and  early  ta\iuhl  thai  they  owed  all  their  enjoy- 
nu'uts  to  the  di\ine  source  of  henelicenci',  to  wht>m  they 
Wen-  liually  accountahle  (ov  their  actions  ;  lor  the  I'csl  they 
wei'c  vi'ry  muih  lel'l  to  naturi',  ami  |u'rmilted  to  range  about 
at    full   liberty   in   their  I'arliest   yi'ars,   covered   in   suninier 


lA'^ 


■aa3*t.coc«tr- 


MmMmIKS    HI'    AN     A  Mill!  I<   AN     LaI»V. 


nit 


\\  i(  It  soiiir  sli^lil  :iiiil  <li«;i|»  l;:iiI»,  v«||'i'|i  mciclv  kr|il  llir 
.still  IVuiii  tht'iii,  :iii(|  ill  llic  u'liitrr  uilli  miimc  uaiiii  IimImI,  in 
wliii'li  (•••iiSTiiiciii'c  oiilv  \v;is  ciMiMillcd.  'I  licir  l||•(•-•■^  nf 
rrrciiiiiiiy  w.is  rif\ci-  |tiil  on  Inil  ulicri  tlicir  i-hihikiii ;/  \s;is 
.'issniihlcd.  Tlicy  uric  txlrrinclv  Innd  nl  llicir  <liililitii  ; 
lull  luckily  I'drllic  hilhT,  never  drciincd  id'  lii'in;^  \;iiii  <d 
tlifir  iiiiiiiiiliirc  w  il  :ind  |i:ii'ts,  wITk  Ii  ininiinls,  in  soiiii'  ni<':i 
suit',  for  till'  LCi'c'il  s(',ii'<'il  V  uf  ('(ivcunihs  iiiinuii^  lliciii.  'IIh' 
cliilili-rn  i-cliirncd  llic  ri)ndnf>s  of  llirir  |i;ii-»'iits  witli  Midi 
lender  .'ilTeeliun,  tlinl  lliey  I'e.ired  ii,i\iiii:;  llniii  imiii  ;i>  iniicji 
Jis  oiirs  <l<)  |)iiiiisliineiit,  ;iiid  \<'ry  r;irel\  wounded  llu'ir  lee! 
lilies  l»y  neL'leel,  or  rude  ;ilis\\ers.  \  e|  I  he  l»o\>  wereolten 
williil  :iiid  u'idfly  ;il  ;i  certain  anc,  llic  ;^iils  l»ein<^  ^ooner 
t;iiiied  and  domcsticaled. 

Tlicse  youths  vere  a|il,  whenever  tliey  could  carry  a  ^iin 
(\vlii<'li  they  did  at  a  very  early  |»erio(|),  to  I'oMovv  soin.- 
fa\  oritc  iieLfi<»  to  the  Woods,  and,  while  he  was  employed 
ill  Iclliiiu,'  trees,  raii^e  the  whole  day  in  search  ol  lvalue,  to 
the  neglect  of  all  intellectual  ini|irov cineiil,  and  cimlract  a 
love  <d'  savaii;e  lil»ert\  which  inij^ht,  and  in  sonic  instances 
di<l,  de<_;enerate  into  licentious  and  idle  hal»ils.  Indeed, 
llicre  were  three  stated  periods  in  the  vear  when,  lor  a  lew 
days,  yoiiii!^  and  old,  masters  and  slaves,  were  ahaiidoned 
t»»  unruly  enjoyment,  and  neylected  evcrv  serious  occu|ta- 
fioii  lor  |»iirsuits  (d'  this  nature. 

We  who  (tcciipy  count  lies  lully  iiiliahitcd  can  rorm  no 
ide.'i  of  the  multitude  of  l)ir<ls  and  atiimiils  that  nature  pro- 
vides (()  consume  her  waste  fertility  in  those  regions  unex- 
plored l»y  man.  In  the  interior  of  the  province  the  winter 
is  much  colder  th.iii  mio;ht  he  suppose*!,  from  the  latitude 
in  which  it  lies,  which  is  only  l^i  dejj^rees  :w>  minutes,  from 
the  keen  north  winds  which  hhtw  constantly  for  four  or 
live  montlis  over  vast  frozen  lakes  and  snowy  traets,  in  the? 
direction  of  Canada.  "^I'lie  snow  too  lies  very  deep  ;  but 
Avheii  once  they  .are  visited  hy  the  south  wind  in  ,Marcli, 
its  litenilly  vvanii  approach  diss(;lvt'.s  the  snow  like  magic  ; 


CO 


Mk.moiks  ok  an    A.MKiiic  \r'   Lahv. 


i 


.'111(1  one  never  sees  :iiit)tlier  wiiilry  "liiy  till  tlie  season  of 
cold  returns.  Tliest- soiilliern  winds  seem  t<>  flow  in  ii  rapid 
em  rent,  uninlerni|>(ed  l»y  nionnlains  orotlui  i'ltstaeles,  IVoni 
llie  Itiiininuc  santls  of  llie  l"'I(tridas,  ( iedr.da,  ;nid  llieCaro- 
lin.MS,  and  hi'int,^  willi  tlien:  .a  dei^ree  of  \\aiiMt!i,  tlial  aiiiieai's 
nt»  more  llie  nalur.al  result  (  I"  the  situation,  tli.ni  tlie  intense 
cold  ot"  winliT  does  in  that  season. 

.Mont;  (lie  se;i  h.anks,  in  .all  tlies«'  southern  provinces,  .are 
low  sandy  Lands,  th.at  never  were  or  will  lie  inh.al>itetl,  co- 
vered with  the  lieia-ydx'.ai'ini;  myrtle,  iVoiu  which  w.ax  is 
e\tr;u'ted  lit  lor  candles.  IJehiml  these  h.anks  .are  wot)ds 
and  nnwholesouu'  sw.anips  (if  i;re.at  extent.  The  myrtle 
proves  fornu-rly  mentioue(|  alVord  shelter  and  food  to  count- 
less multitudes  of  pii^eous  in  winter,  when  their  IVuit  is  in 
season  ;  while  wild  ifeese  .and  ducks,  in  muuhers  nearly  as 
yrt'at,  pass  the  winter  "u  tin-  impcaiet  r.ahle  sw.anips  behind. 
Some  lime  in  the  month  of  April,  a  <;ener;d  eniii'iation 
t.akes  pl.aee  to  the  northw.ird,  lirst  of  the  L!:eese  and  ducks, 
and  then  of  llu'  pigeons  ;  they  keep  tl  '  dii'ectioii  of  tlu'  se;i 
eo;'st  till  they  come  to  the  nmutlis  of  ihe  ureat  rivers,  .and 
then  follow  their  course  till  they  reach  the  i^reat  hakes  in 
llu'  interior,  wlu-re  nature  has  |»ro\ided  for  them  with  the 
same  lihi'rality  as  in  their  winter  h.aunts.  On  tlu'  hanks  of 
these  lakes  tluae  ari'  laiiic  tracts  of  uroiind  covered  with  .a 
pl.aiit  talh-r  and  more  luxuriant  than  the  wild  c.aiM'ol,  l»nt 
sometliinii'  resembling'  it,  on  tlii'  seeds  of  which  the  pigeons 
feed  all  tlu'  summi'r,  while  they  .are  bree<liiiii'  .and  re.arinsjj 
their  youui;.  Wliiai  iliey  p.ass  in  sprinu;,  which  they  alw.ays 
(loin  till'  same  track,  tlii'v  ljo  in  ure.at  nun,bers,  and  are 
very  fat.  Their  lu-ouression  northward  and  southw.ai'd 
lii'ij^lns  always  about  the  vern.al  and  autumn.al  e(piinoxes  ; 
and  it  is  this  that  vendi-rs  the  c.ani.aue  so  uri'.at  when  llu-y 
pass  over  inhaliited  districts.'      They  begin  to  lly  in  the  dawn, 


'  The  niinienst'  flocks  of  pifrcMins  that  formerly  caiiie  down  from  the 
north  after  the  season  of  incubation  in  such  numbers  as  sometimes  to 


ftH 


m^mmtmmmm 


JSIkmoiks  ok  an   A.MKiiicAN   Lai»y, 


<;i 


M* 


Mild  arc  never  seen  al'ler  nine  i»r  ten  (t'eloek  in  the  rnurninij, 
jK)s,siltly  feedinij  and  restinii'in  the  wondsali  the  icst  nl"  the 
day.  11  tiie  niuiiiintj  l»e  dry  and  windy,  all  the  Inwlers 
(that  is  every  Ixuly)  .-ire  disa|i|it»inted,  I'ur  then  lliey  tl\  so 
hii;lithat  no  slmt  e.in  rea<'h  them  :  lint  in  a  ehmdy  niornini;' 
the  carnauc  is  inc  redilile  ;  and  it  is  singular  that  their  re- 
nn>\al  falls  nut  at  the  times  nl'  the  \e;ir  that  tiie  wcatiier 
(even  in  liiis  serene  climate)  is  !j,-enerally  clnndy.  This 
nii;j;ralin!i,  as  it  passed  i»y,  neeasinned,  as  I  said  lieinif,  a 
total  relaxation  from  all  ein|ilnyments,  and  a  kind  of  drunken 
,U,"aiety,  tlionnh  it  was  rather  slan<;'hler  than  sport  ;  and, 
lor  aliovc  a  fort  nin'ht,  |iin<'nns  in  pies  an<l  sonps,  and  every 
way  they  eoidd  he  dressed,  were  tlie  food  nl'  I  he  inhaliitants. 
These  were  inime<liately  sueeeede(|  li\  wild  ifi'ese  and  *\\n-\ 
which  ennclnded  the  carni\  al  lor  that  season,  to  he  renewed 
in  Septendier.  Ahoni  six  weeks  alter  the  passaije  of  these 
Uirds,  stnrj^eon  of  a  larii'e  si/e,  and  in  yreat  (piantity,  made 
tlieii'  appearance  in  the  ri\er.  Now  the  same  ardor  seeme(| 
to  pervade  all  au;es  in  |»nrsnit  of  this  new  ohject.  M\ery 
family  had  a  canoe  ;  and  on  this  occasion  all  were  laimched  ; 
an<l  these  perse\erini>"  lishers  tracetl  the  couise  of  the  stnr- 
H'eon  up  the  river,  followed  them  l>y  toi'cli  li^ht,  and  oft<'n 
continue(l  (wo  niu;lits  upon  the  water,  never  retnrnini;  till 
they  had  loaded  their  canoes  with  this  valuahle  tish,  and 
many  other  very  excellent  in  their  kinds,  that  come  up  the 
river  at  the  same  time.  The  stnru'eon  not  only  furnislied 
them  with  n'ood  part  of  their  food  in  the  sunnner  months, 
but  was  pickle(l  or  drie(l  foi-  future  use  or  exportation. 


darken  tlie  iitTiiospherc  like  a  ]iassui{j  cloud,  have  lonj;  Hince  rcnscd  to 
be  witnessed  in  the  valleys  of  tlie  lhidf«)n  and  the  Conncctieiit.  (leese. 
and  ducks  alsoappear  in  diminislied  numbers,  and  are  more  freciuently 
heanl  nud<iiig  their  i)assa<;(^  by  niirlit,  ami  are  not  so  often  seen  in  tlu; 
unbroken  form  of  their  Hi<;]it,  which  is  that  of  a  harrow,  or  tlu;  letter 
A.— J/. 


ir 


02 


Mkmoihs  ()!•'  AN   Ami;hi('An  Jj.wn'. 


cFiA'.-rKi:  i\. 

KiiisT  Ai>vi:si  t  i!i:s  ok   'mi;  Inkian  Ti;  adkijs. 


I    1 


I 


1  O  I't'liini  to  llic  l»i>ys,  MS  all  yomin"  men  were  callccj  linu^ 
till  tlicy  inairicij.  Tliiis  cai'ly  trained  In  a  Ihnc  of  sylvan 
s|i(trts,  tlieir  characters  were  nni'oldeil  hy  contingencies. 
In  tliis  infant  society  penal  laws  lay  dormant,  and  evei'V 
s|>»'cies  ol'  coercion  was  nnknown. 

.Morals.  I'ounded  on  C  liristianily,  were  fostered  l»y  tlie 
SW( ft  inllnence  of  the  charities  of  life.  'IMie  revei'cnce 
wiiich  cliildren  in  |iarticnlar  had  foi-  ijicir  parents,  and  the 
vouny  in  n'eneral  for  the  old,  was  the  chief  bond  that  held 
society  toirether.  This  veneration  heinjj:  founded  on  esteem, 
ceiMainl\  could  only  lia\i'  existed  thus  |)owerfully  in  an  un- 
corru|)le(|  community.  It  had,  howe\cr,  an  auxiliary  no 
less  ^towerfid. 

Here,  indeed,  it  miji^ht  with  truth  he  said, 

"  L'n-t!  lircath'il  hi.s  iiifiuit  sijriis  from  aiiiruisli  freo." 

Tn  cons.'(|U"nce  of  this  sinn'ular  mode  of  associatiujx  to- 
getlu'r  little  e^clusixc  parties  of  cluidren  of  both  se.xcs, 
wiiich  has  been  already  nu'Utioiied,  endearing  intimacies, 
formed  in  the  a^e  of  ])layful  innocence,  were  the  precur- 
sors of  more  tender  attachnu'iits. 

Tlu'so  were  not  wrouuht  up  to  romantic  enthusiasm,  or 
pxtravaijant  passion,  l)y  an  iuMained  ima<j^iuation,  or  by  the 
fears  of  rixalry,  or  the  artifices  of  c()<]uetry,  yet  they  had 
power  suHicient  to  s(»ften  the  nnimuus  and  elevate  the 
character  of  the  lover. 

I  know  not  if  this  be  the  proper  place  to  observe,  liow 
much  of  <he  L;"eii<'ral  oitler  of  society,  and  the  happiness  of 
a  people  (h'pi'uds  on  inari'ia!j;e  beiuo-  early  and  universal 
auu)n<:;  tlu'iu  ;  but  of  this  u\o\v  hereafter.  The  desire  (un- 
diverted by  any  other  i)assion)  of  obtaining  the  ol)jeet  of 
their  affection,  was  to  them  a  stimuhis  to  early  and  severe 


♦4. 


\fi:MUlKS    OK    AN     A.MIMMCAN    La1)\, 


68 


/■■■ 


cxonion.     Tlic  i'Iimiihh'ciI  y<>iiilMli<l   imt    listlc^vly  fold  liis 
.'iniis    Mini   sit;li  over  liis   liu|ifl('ss  dc  unrortuii.itc    |>:issi(iii. 
Of  love  nut    fed  l»y  liojic  tlicy  liiul   not  :in  iilca.     Tlicir  ;it- 
tiiclmu'iits  ori<rin:iti'<l   at    too  early  an   atfc,  and   in   a  cir.U' 
too  familiar  to  <rivi'   room   for  those   first -siniit    impn'ssioiis 
of  wliieli  we  liear  such  wonders.      I  f  t  lie  temper  of  t  In   vont  li 
was  rasli  and   iiii|»eliioiis,  and  his   fair  one   n'ciitle  and  eoni- 
plyiiiti",  they  fre(|iiently  foriiicil  a  rash  ami  i»reeipilate  union 
without   eoiisiiltini^  their  relations,  \\hen   perhaps  the  elder 
of  the  two  was  not  ahoxc  seventeen.     'I'liis  was  very  (jiiietly 
home    I'V   the    parties  au^riexcd.     The    ridatioiis   of    l>otli 
jiarties   nut,   and   with   y'reat    e:ilmness  consulted   on    what 
was  to   he  done.     'I'he  father  of  the  youth  or  the   damsel, 
which  ever  it  was  who  had  most  wealth,  or  fewest  children, 
hnmj^lit  homo  the  yoiino-coiipl"  :  and  the  new  mariaed  man 
imnu'diately  set   :il»oiit  a  tradiiiii'  adventure,  which   was  re- 
newe(|  every  season,   till   he  had  the  means  of  providiny*  ii 
home  of  his  own.      .Meantime  tlu'  increase  of  the  youiigor 
family  did  md   seem  an  inconvcnieiice,  hut  rathei-  a  source 
of  delight  to  the  old  people  ;  and  an   arraiie-emeiit    l)e<j;uM 
from  necessity  was  often  continued  throutih  choice  for  many 
years  after.     Their  tempers,  unruttied  by  the  i-iidless  jeal- 
ousies and  competitions  incident  to  our  mode  of  life,  were 
sinifularly  plai-id,  and  the  lo\e  of  offspring",  where  children 
were  truly  an   unmixed   hlessini;,  was  a  common  sentiment 
which  united  all  the   branclies  of   the  family  and   preclomi- 
iiated    over   eveiT    other.     The    jarriiiijt    aiid    tlistrust,  the 
})etnlaiK'e  and  ('t/of/'siii,  which,  distinct    from  all   weightier 
considerations,  would  not  fail  t(t  poison  com-ord,  were  differ- 
ent   families   to    dwell    under    one    roof    here,   were    there 
scarcely  known.      It  is  but  justice  to  our  acquired  delicacy 
of  sentiment  to  say,  that  the  absence  of  refinement  contri- 
buted to  this  tran(|uillity.     These  primitive  jieople,  if  they 
did  not  gather  the  flowers  of  cultivated  elegance,  were  not 
wounded    bv  the    thorns  of   irritable    delieaey  :  thev  had 


64 


MkMoIUS    or    AN    A.MKIUCAN     liAHY. 


in'itlicr  aiiiticial  wants,  ni»r  ailiticial  miseries.  In  sli«»rf, 
tliey  were  m-itlier  too  wise  tt»  l»e  lia|t|ty,  ii<»r  lu(»  witty  t<»  Ik' 
Jit  rest. 

Tliiis  it  was  ill  tlie  case  of  iiiiaiitliori/«'<l  iiiaiTiajj;es.  In 
the  more  onliiiary  course  of  things,  lovt',  wliicli  makes 
labor  liylil,  taiiie<|  these  yi»mi,i^  hunters,  an<l  traiisformctl 
them  into  dilit^i'iit  ami  laborious  traders,  for  the  nature  of 
their  trade  included  very  severe  Ial>(»r.  When  one  of  tlie 
hoi/s  was  deejdy  smitten,  Ids  f(»wliiiu;-|>iece  ami  tishiiii;  rod 
were  at  <»iice  relin((nislii'd.  lie  demanded  of  his  father 
forty  or  at  most  fifty  dollars,  a  iiejjjro  hoy  and  a  canoe  ;  all 
of  !i  sudden  he  assumed  the  Irow  of  care  and  solicitude, 
and  lu'i^an  to  smoke,  a  |irc<'  ution  ;il)solutely  lu'cessary  to 
repel  au;uisli  d:iiii|ts,  and  Iroiil  lesoine  insci-.ts.  He  arrayed 
himself  in  a  hahit  very  little  ditl'erins^f  from  that  of  the  aho- 
i'ii;ines,  into  whose  hounds  he  was  about  to  |>eiietrate,  ;ind 
in  short  commenced  Indian  trader  ;  that  strange  ;iini»hibious 
animal,  who  uniting'  the  acute  senses,  stronj^  instincts,  and 
uncoiKjUcr.able  |iatience  and  f(»rtitude  of  the  savatije,  with 
the  art,  policy,  and  inventions  of  the  European,  encountt-red, 
in  the  pursuit  of  jj;ain,  dangers  and  ditHculties  etjual  to  those 
described  in  the  romantic  legends  of  chivalry. 

The  small  bark  canoe  in  which  this  hardy  adventurer 
embarked  himself,  his  fortune,  and  his  faithful  sf/ta'ir  (who 
was  generally  born  in  the  same  house,  and  predestined  to 
his  service),  was  launched  amidst  the  tears  and  prayers  of 
his  female  relations,  amongst  whom  was  generally  included 
his  destined  bride,  who  well  knew  herself  to  be  the  motive 
of  this  j)erilous  adventure. 

The  canoe  was  entirely  filled  with  coarse  strouds  and 
blankets,  guns,  powdei,  beads,  etc.,  suited  to  the  various 
wants  and  fancies  of  tlie  natives  ;  one  ]»eriiicious  article 
was  never  wanting,  and  often  made  a  great  part  of  the 
cargo.  This  was  ardent  s|)irits,  for  which  the  natives  too 
early  acquired  a  relish,  and  the  possession  of  which  always 


.. 


«? 


\ 


■saSHiMWtlpiOWH* 


mmmmmmm. 


MllMOIKS    OF    AN      \mi;11I<'AN     liUiV, 


65 


\ 


\ 


;ri)\«'.l  (l.intjorous,  runl  snnicliiiu-  f;it.il  t<>  tlw  tnulors.  Tlie 
Mohawks  biiiiLrini'  tlnii-  tins  iiinl  dtlitr  peltry  l):il)itii;illv  to 
'.  he  sfnrcs  of  ilu'ir  w  onii',!  jriiMids  ;ui<l  |i:itntiis,  it  w;is  not 
ill  tlial  (Msy  Mii'l  safe  direction  tliat  lliese  tradiiii;  atlven- 
tures  eMi'ii<le<l.  The  canoe  tfcnerally  sicen'(l  northward 
f"^^al■<is  tlir  ('an!idi:iii  tronticr.  They  |.asseil  liy  the  flats 
•ltd  (onehook  in  ihc  ont'^et  ot"  their  joniney.  Tiien  coin- 
fii»n(  <  d  llieii'  toiU  ;iiiil  dahixt'i's  at  the  t'anioiis  water  Tall 
c-dli'd  )hi-  (  oh.ics,  iin  nrde><  aho\e  AH'ativ,  \v  hei'e  thiH-e 
!  M  .  Ts, '  unit  ini;  their  stre;iiii^  into  one,  ihc'h  o\  era  I'ockv  sliel  I", 
•tnd   t'aliinij  into  a   null'    helnw   with    i;'ri  at    \  ioKiK-e,    raise 

'•Mid*  of  niist  hedecked  wit  h  >|  ilcndi' I  laiuhows.  This  WaS 
tn»'  liiiliieon  which  tlie\  h.id  to  pn^s  iieldrc  1  hev  |ilnnifed 
.pf«i  paihli'---  W'Mid-,  innuliiliiiiii'  ;-wani]is,  and  l.^kes,  the  oj»- 
|.io^it<!  shores  of  which  tlie  e\-e  coidd  not  rt.K'.h.  At  tlie 
'  -hi 'CM,  on  ;iecoiint  ol'  1  he  oi.-i  i  uci  ion  lorn  led  ii\  !  he  toi're!;t , 
ih«y  unloaded  tlnir  caiioc,  and  carried  it  al"  \i  :i  mile 
Inrtlicr  iipon  fleir  -lioiilders,  tit  inniiiL;'  au'aut  loitlic  <ar'<j:o, 
wdiieh  llnv  w.  '.<■  oli!i'.;cd  to  ;  i-;ii)>|iort  in  the  >aiiu'  Mianiter. 
I'his  u:e;  l>nt    i  |Mc;inle  to  Jahor-  and  daie^ci-,  incredihie  to 

Intse  who  dw  ■  II  at  ea^c.      I'lirthei  on,  much  h'un'er  can\  iny; 

.  '  id  -N  lie(|uently  le'uri-cd  •    wdicrc  ilu-s    had   the  vessel  and 

L.     lo.  dra^   ihrouuh    thickets    impcrx  ioie>  to    the    dny, 

■  icdiniT   with  snakes  and  wild    leasts,  whicli   aie  always 

'•«■  i'lMind  on  till.;  side  of  the  rivers.' 

'  ti  IK  '</.(/,•  tin-  ('.ilnioH  fulls  that  tlic  Muhawk  ixrimies  mvcrul 
Ftr- tit7«s  iMid  ili'ixMicln's  into  (lie  lliiiisDii  iil  four  i»niiits,  iilier  nn>iuiilcr 
illy  iilxi'ii  iiii-l  foiiiiiiig  iimiicriniH  islaiKJH,  anioti^  whirl'  tin'  Aiiicriran 
arinv  ci)ii>inicti'tl  fnrtiticatinnH  ot  Qurtli,  to  further  iiii|.ei|i'  the  |ir'ijri,.HH 
f)f  the  Hritiuli  army,  if  it  slumld  force  the  Aiihriruii  iiuesnt  Si:I!\>aier. 
I'races  (»t  these  eariliwiuks  arc  Htili  diHtiii;^ui"ihai>le  eii  Vua  ScUaick's 
nc!  Haver  IslaiiiiH — M. 

ranee  aiK' 


porso 


irape, 


Ir- 


»»i>ri  i.iii"<«l  ill  those  \<)va<j:i'.-  lo  lireiist  till!  (inwnward  and  deviouH 
rsirr*'!!'  .»l  rhe  .Miiha«k,  with  its  rit'ts,  fulls  and  portajjfcs,  descend  into 
Oiieiila  Ink  ',  and  lollow  its  outlet  to  Oswcffo  ;  course  aloii^  the  wiiid- 
\n^  fhores  of  Ontario  and  I'lrii-  to  Detroit  ;  up  that   river  to  St.  C'hiir  ; 


^ 


n 


h 


'fw  ■    I  ^ 


'   .1 


awTOHiiiB 


ArEMOIllS    OF    AN    AmKIUCAN    LaDY. 


G5 


provcMl  (l.-ingcrous,  and  soiiu'timo  fatal  to  the  traders.  The 
Moliawks  hi-iiiifiiiif  tlu-ir  furs  and  other  iteltrv  hahituallv  to 
tlie  stores  of  their  wonte*!  friends  and  |>atroiis,  it  was  not 
in  tliat  easy  and  safe  direction  that  tliese  tra-dint^  adven- 
tures extenchMh  The  canoe  generally  steered  nortliward 
towai'ds  the  Canadian  frontier.  Thev  i)assed  hv  the  Hats 
and  stoneliook  in  the  outset  of  tlteir  journey.  Then  com- 
menced their  toils  and  dangers  at  the  famous  watei'-fall 
calleil  the  Colioes,  ten  miles  a1)ov>>  Albany,  where  three 
rivers, '  uniting  tl.eir  streams  into  one,  dash  over  a  rocky  shelf, 
and  falling  into  a  gulf  helow  with  great  vit>lence,  raise 
clouds  of  mist  hcilecked  with  splendid  I'ainhows.  This  was 
the  Ivuhicou  which  they  had  to  pass  before  they  plunged 
into  }>athless  woods,  ingulphing  swamps,  and  laki's,  the  op- 
posite shores  of  which  the  eye  i-ould  not  reach.  At  the 
Cohoes,  on  account  of  the  obstruction  formed  by  the  torrent, 
they  unloadetl  tlu'ir  canoe,  and  cai'ried  it  above  a  mile 
further  upon  theii'  shoulders,  returning  again  for  the  cai'go, 
■\vhich  they  were  obliged  to  transport  in  the  same  manner. 
This  was  but  a  prelude  to  labors  and  ilangei's,  incredible  to 
those  who  dwell  at  ease.  Further  on,  nnich  longer  carrying 
places  fre<|uently  recurred  :  wlu-re  they  liad  the  vi'sscl  and 
cargo  to  drag  through  thickets  impervious  to  the  dav, 
abounding  with  snakes  and  wild  beasts,  which  are  always 
to  be  fonml  on  the  side  of  the  rivers.' 


'  It  is  lii'/mr  th(!  Colioes  I'tills  that  the  Mohawk  brcomcs  several 
strcnins,  and  (ichouchcs  into  the  Hudson  at  four  points,  after  nieander- 
injjf  about  and  forniing  numerous  islands,  nnionfr  which  tiu'  American 
army  constructed  fortifications  of  earth,  to  further  impede  tiie  pro^rress 
of  tin;  Uritifih  army,  if  it  should  force  tlie  American  lines  at  Stillwater. 
'I'races  of  these  earthworks  are  still  distiinruishablu  on  Van  ScUaick's 
and  Ibiver  islands  — M. 

'  Theae  ancient  mj'uheers,  witli  wonih'rful  perseverance  and  courage, 
were  forced  in  tliost;  voyii<;es  to  breast  the  (h)wnward  and  devious 
current  of  the  Mohawk,  with  its  rifts,  falls  and  portages,  descend  into 
Uneida  lake,  and  follow  its  outlet  to  Oswego  ;  course  along  the  wind- 
ing shores  of  Ontario  and  Krie  to  Detroit  ;  up  that  river  to  St.  ("lair  ; 


T 


66 


MEMOIRS    OF    AN    AmKRICAN    LaDY. 


Tlicir  provision  of  food  was  noccssanly  small,  for  fear  of 
overloadiiiLj  tlic  slender  and  unstable  convevance  already 
crowded  with  goods.  \  little  dried  l»eef  and  Indian  corn 
meal  was  their  whole  stock,  thonyh  they  formerly  enjoyed 
both  plenty  and  variety.  They  were  in  a  givat  measure 
obliged  to  de])end  u]ton  their  own  skill  in  huntinu,-  and  fish- 
ing, and  tlie  hospitality  of  the  Indians  ;  for  hunting,  indeed, 
they  had  small  leisure,  their  time  l»eiiig  sedulously  i'niploye<l 
inconsequence  of  the  obstacles  that  retarded  their  progress. 
In  the  slight  and  fragile  canoes,  they  often  had  to  cross 
great  lake.«<,  on  which  the  wind  raise<l  a  terrible  surge. 
Afraid  of  goinii'  ii'to  the  track  of  the  French  traders,  who 
were  always  dangerous  rivals,  and  often  declared  enemies, 
they  durst  not  follow  the  direction  of  (he  river  St.  Law- 
rence ;  but,  in  search  of  distant  territories  and  unknown 
tribes,  were  wont  to  deviate  to  the  I'ast  and  southwest, 
forcinir  their  itainful  wav  towards  tlie  source  of  "rivers 
unknown  to  song,"  whose  winding  course  was  often  inter- 
rupted with  shallows  and  oftener  still  by  fallen  tives  of 
great  magnitude  lying  aci'oss,  which  it  was  re<piisite  to 
cut  through  with  their  hatchets  before  they  could  i»i'ocecd. 
Small  I'ivei's  which  wind  through  fertile  valleys,  in  this 
country,  are  jteculiarly  liable  to  this  obstruction.  The 
chestnut  and  liickoiy  grow  to  so  large  a  size  in  this  kind  of 
soil,  that  in  time  they  become  top  heavy,  and  are  then  the 
first  prey  to  the  violence  of  the  winds  ;  and  thus  falling, 
form  a  kind  of  accidental  bridges  over  tlu'se  I'ixcrs. 

Wlien  the  toils  and  dangers  of  the  <lay  were  over,  the 
still  greater  terrors  of  the  night  commenced.  In  this, 
which  might  literally  be  styliMJ  thf!  howling  wilderness, 
they  were  forced  to  sleep  in  the  open  air,  which  was  fiv- 

and  alonjr  the  shores  of  Huron,  crosfinpf  Snjfinaw  bay  to  Mackinac, 
where  they  traded  witli  the  Indian  f<.r  Ins  furs;  tlien  with  infinite 
labor  to  retrace  tbiir  mute  to  I'earl  str<';  t,l!uien  with  riches  so  hardly 
earned  as  often  to  rouuce  them  to  early  decrepitude.  —  AT. 


H 


^MmfMammmr-  aames^t 


iOBH 


IT 


Mkakuks  of  an  American  Lady 


C>7 


a. 

lis 

U' 

of 
ic 


■J^S 


((uontly  IomiUmI  with  tlio  luiinid  cvajMn-atioii  of  swiiinps, 
ponds,  ;uiil  i'i'»liiii(liilit  vi'i^t't.'ltioii.  llriv  tlie  axe  iiiiist  he 
iii:;Miii  ciiiploycil  to  procure  tlio  materials  of  a  larj^c  fire 
even  in  the  wannest  weatlier.  This  |irecantion  was  neces- 
sary that  tlie  tlies  and  musqiiitoes  ini<fht  he  expeUed  by 
the  smoke,  an<l  that  the  wolves  and  hears  mi ^h I  he  (Icti'rred 
hy  the  thinie  from  eneroaehiny"  on  tiieii'  place  of  rest.  IJnt 
the  linht  which  alfoi'»KMl  tliem  protection  created  fresh  dis- 
turhance. 

"  Loud  ns  the  wolves  on  Orca's  stormy  sttH'p, 
Howl  to  till!  roarings  of  the  iiortlicni  uetq)," 

the  American  wohcs  howl  to  the  tires  kindled  to  aflrioht 
tiiem,  watciiing  th«'  whole  nis^lit  on  tlie  surroundint;  liills  to 
kee|»  np  a  concert  wliich  tiady  "  reiidere(l  niojit  iii<leoiis  :" 
meanwhile  the  hnllfroys,  terrihle  thongh  harmh-ss,  and 
smaller'  kinds  of  various  tones  and  countless  numbers, 
siH'med  all  niuht  callinsi;  to  each  other  from  opposite  swamps, 
foi'miiii:,'  tlu'  most  dismal  assemhiao-o  of  disconlant  sounds. 
Thouoh  si'rpents  ahounde<l  \ cry  much  in  the  woods,  few 
of  them  were  noxious.  The  rattle-snake,  tlie  oidy  danijer- 
ous  reptile,  was  not  so  frecpu'utly  met  with  as  in  the 
neiold»orino-  provinci's,  and  the  remedy  which  nature  has 
bestowed  as  an  antidote  to  his  bite  was  very  generally 
known,  "^riu"  beauties  of  rural  and  varied  scenery  seldom 
compensatetl  the  travelei'  for  the  (hinders  of  his  journey. 
"  In  the  close  jtrisonof  iunumeroiis  boughs,"  and  on  ground 
thick  with  underwood,  tlu're  was  little  of  landscape  o])en 
to  tlu!  eye.  The  banks  of  streams  and  lakes  no  doubt 
atVortled  a  I'ich  vai'iety  of  trees  and  plants  :  tlu'  former  of  a 
most  majestic  si/e,  the  latter  of  singular  beauty  and  hix- 
urianci'  ;  but  otherwise  they  only  traveled  tiivougli  a  grove 
of  chestnuts  or  oak,  to  arrive  at  another  of  juaple,  or  po])lar, 
or  a  \ast  sti'etch  of  pines  and  other  evergreens.  If  by 
chanci"  they  ai'i'ived  at  a  hill  crowned  with  cellars,  which 
afTorde<l  some  command  of  prospect,  still  the  gloomy  and 
interminable    forest,  onlv  varied  with    different  shades  of 


li 


r>s 


Mi;m(»ihs  (»k  an   Amkimcan  Lamy. 


UTfi'ii,  met  tlu'  cyt'  svliicli  ever  \v;iy  it  liinu'<l,  wliih^  (lie 
iiiiiitl,  rc|K'Ih'(l  hy  soliliKli'  so  \;is(,  :iinl  silciici'  so  |intr(»mi»l, 
tiinu'tl  iiiwnrd  on  ilsi'll".  X;itiirc  lu'ic  woic  ;i  \('il  licli  .'iimI 
_t^r;iii<l,  l>iil  iiii|ii'ii('i  nililc  ;  at  Icnsl  tliis  was  I  lie  iiii|»r('ssi(»ii 
it  was  r.ki'Iy  to  iiiakf  on  an  lMifo|ican  mind  ;  Ii;"!  a  natixc 
American,  I'amiiiai"  from  cliildliood  with  llic  |ii-odiiclions 
and  inlial)itaiits  of  the  \>  oods,  sonnlit  tlir  nnts  and  wild 
I'rnits  with  wliicli  tlicy  al»oiunli'd,  the  nimlilc  s(|nin('I  in  all 
its  varird  forms,  tlu'  aicliitcct  hcavcf,  tlic  savauc  racoon, 
and  tlu'  stately'  ii\,  wlicrc  we  should  sec  nothini:,"  hut  awful 
solitudes  untrod  hy  human  foot.  It  is  iiicoucei\  alile  how 
Mi'll  tlu'se  younii,'  travelers,  taught  hy  their  Indian  friends, 
and  the  e.\ I teri mental  knowleilp'  of  their  fathers,  understood 
evei'y  soil  and  its  |troductions.  A  l»oy  of  twelve  years  old 
would  astonish  yon  with  his  accurati'  InUowKmIoi  of  plants, 
tlu'ir  pro|>erties,  ami  their  relation  to  the  soil  and  to  each 
other.  "  Here  (said  he),  is  a  wood  of  red  oak,  when  it  is 
"  uruhhed  up  this  will  Ite  loam  and  sand,  and  make  i;-ood 
"Indian  corn  ground.  This  chestnut  wood  ahounds  with 
"■  st  rawhei'ries,  and  is  the  very  hest  soil  for  wlii-at.  The 
"  poplar  wood  yonder  is  uot  worth  clearinu"  ;  the  soil  is 
"always  wet  and  cold.  Tlu'ri'  is  a  hickoiy  w<»od,  where 
"  the  soil  is  always  rich  and  deep,  and  does  not  run  out  ; 
"  sut'h  and  such  plants  that  dy»'  hliu',  or  oranyc,  gr(tw  under 
"it." 

This  is  merely  a  sliijlit  epitome  of  tlio  wide  views  of  nature 
that  are  laid  ojien  to  these  ]>eople  from  tlu'ii'  very  infancy, 
the  a('(|nisition  of  this  kind  of  knowled<;'e  being  one  of 
tlieir  lirst  anuisenients,  yet  those  who  were  capahh'  of 
astonishintj  you  by  the  extent  and  variety  of  this  local 
skill,  in  objects  so  varied  and  so  i-omplicated,  never  heard 
of  a  petal,  I'orolla,  or  stinina  in  their  li\es,  noi*  even  of  tlie 
strata  of  that  soil  with  the  pi-oductions  and  pioperties  of 
wliicli  thoy  were  so  intimately  acquainted. 

Without    compass,  or  guide    of   any  kind,    tlie    traders 


T 


7 


'^ 


,.  ^. ......  ^^-,.y,... 


Mkmoiks  or  AN    Ami;iu(.\n    L.Ahv 


(i!> 


is 
re 


I  re 

.r 


(I 
lie 
of 


rs 


steeled  tlifiiiit;li  these  |t;itlilcss  lun'sts.  In  tlmse  t^lndiiiy 
(lays  when  tin'  snn  is  not  \isilth',  nr  in  winter,  when  the 
l;iilinn"  snows  ol)xenreil  liis  lie;inis,  ihev  ni;i(h'  :in  incision 
on  tile  Imrk  on  tlie  dilTei'ent  si(h's  of  ;i  tree;  th;it  on  the 
north  \\;is  in\  ;iri;ili|y  thicker  thnii  tli<'  other,  ;iiiil  coxcred 
witli  moss  in  iniicli  !;,re:iter  (|ii:intity.  And  tiiis  ne\('i-  t':iil- 
ine;  indicMlion  of  the  |>ol:ir  inllneiice,  w.i-  to  those  Mi<;;;icious 
travelers  a  siillicieni  li'iiidc.  Tliey  liad  indeed  several  sul»- 
ordinate  monitors.  Knowintr  so  well  as  thev  <lid  the  final- 
ity of  the  soil  liy  the  trees  or  jilants  nio^t  |ire'.aleiit,  they 
i'oiild  a\<ii<l  a  swamji,  or  a|i|)roM<'li  with  certainty  to  a  river 
or  liin'h  n'roiind  if  such  was  their  wish,  liv  nutans  that  to  us 
wonid  seem  iiieom|ireheiisil»le.  I'!\(ii  the  savancs  s(  Idoni 
visite(l  these  districts,  e\ce|it  in  the  <h'ad  of  winter:  tiiey 
lia<l  towns,  as  tiiey  ealleil  their  siiiuiner  <l wellinn's,  on  the 
hanks  of  the  lakes  and  ri\crs  in  I  lie  interior,  where  their 
<^'reat  lishiiii;' places  were.  In  the  winter,  their  urand  liiinl- 
iii<;  |iarties  were  in  |il:ices  nior-  remote  I'ldin  our  lioiinda- 
ries,  where  the  i\i-vy  and  other  lar^icr  animals  took  shelter 
from  the  iieiLihhorhood  of  man.  These  single  adxt'iitnrers 
soiiLCht  the  Indians  in  their  sprini;'  haunts  ;is  soon  as  the 
rivers  were  open  ;  t  here  t  hey  had  new  danu'ers  to  ap|ireliend. 
It  is  well  know  11  that  aniont;' the  natives  of  America,  revenue 
was  actually  a  virt  iie,  and  retaliation  a  positive  duty  :  while 
faitli  was  kept  with  tln-se  people  they  never  Ixeaine  .inLfres- 
sors.  I>iil  the  Kiiropeans,  l>y  the  force  of  had  example, 
and  strong'  li(|iiors,  seilnceil  them  from  t  heir  wonted  prolnty. 
^  et  from  the  first  their  notion  i>f  jnstice  Mid  revenee  was 
of  that  va"j,'iie  and  n'ener.-il  nature,  that  H"  the\  considered 
themselves  injured,  or  if  on<  i>f  their  Irihe  had  iieeii  killeil 
liy  an  inhaltitaiit  of  anv  one  of  our  set  I  leineiits,  thev  con- 
siilered  any  individual  of  oiir  nation  as  a  |irope|-  siihject  for 
retribution.  Tiiis  seldom  happened  amon<x  our  allies  ; 
uevi'r  indeed,  hut  when  the  injury  was  obvious,  and  our 
])eople  vi'iy   culpable.      Hut    the  avidity  of  naiii   often   led 


tm 


I 


70 


Mkmoius  of  an   Amkhipan  L\i>v. 


(tiir  tradiTs  to  (K-mI  with  Imli.iiis,  mmioiil''  wlittiii  llic  l-'ifiicli 
|inss('ss(Ml  a  (It'i^i't'c  111'  i  II  111  It '1  let',  wli  it'll  |)rt)tliif('i|  a  snititlicri'il 
aniiiiositv  to  Kiirnalitiii.  NN'lit'ii  at  Iciiiilli,  after  ftiiii|ii('i-iii;' 
iiiiiiihfflt'ss  iil)>tafl('s,  tlif\  arri\t'(l  at  tlif  idafc  of  tlifir  ilcs- 
tiiiatidii,  tlifsf  (lariiiu'  ath  fiit  iirtTs  ruiiinl  tn-fasiini  I'dt  ih) 
little  atjtlress,  patieiife,  aiitl  iinleeil  t■()||^a^•e,  hefore  tliey 
fdiiid  (lis|it>se  1(1'  llieir  eart^ti,  ami  reliini  safely  with  the 
|irt>lits. 

'['he  Ml'  r'es>riil  tratler  hail  iitiw  laiil  tiie  rt>iintlalit>ii  of  his 
I,  i  II.  tinl  a|i|ii-ovetl  hiiiisell'  wtuthy  of  her  {'t>r  Avliose 
sai  .  Miiiteretl  all  these  tlall^■e|•s.      ll  is  utterly  iiiettji- 

eeiv,  ,  lifA  even  a  silicic  seasmi,  spent  in  this  manner, 
ri|teiiei|  the  imiii  '.  and  ehanu'eil  the  winkle  a|>|iearanfe,  nay 
the  very  eliaraeter of  the  et)iiiiteiiaiiee  i>f  these  ileini-savat;es, 
for  siifh  they  seem  mi  retiirninii'  fi'Diii  ainonti'  their  friemls 
in  the  forests.  Ltifty,  setlate,  ami  etdleeted,  they  seem 
masters  of  themselves,  ami  inde|iemlent  tif  tilliei-s  ;  thoiinh 
siin-l)nrnt  and  anslei-e,  t)ne  searee  knows  them  till  they 
unheml.  Uy  this  Indian  likeness,  I  ilo  m)t  think  them  by 
any  means  tleo-railetl.  One  must  ha\i'  seen  these  |H't)j)lo 
(the  Imlians  I  mean),  to  liaxc  any  itlea  what  a  mtlik'  animal 
mar.  is,  whih'  iinst»|iliistifated.  I  ha\i'  lieeii  t)fti'n  amnsetl 
with  the  tleseri|itit)ns  that  |»liilt(so|)liers,  in  tlu'ir  elt>sets, 
wli<»  never  in  llieir  lives  saw  man  but  in  his  improved  or 
(let>ratletl  state,  i"ive  t»f  iiiieivili/.etl  people  ;  md  recolleeting 
that  they  are  at  the  same  time  niieorrnptetl.  \'t)yagers, 
who  have  iitd  their  lann-uasiV,  and  mendy  see  them  traii- 
sientlv,  to  wtunlei  ami  lii' wtmtlered  at,  ai'c  etpially  strangers 
It)  the  real  eharaeter  t(f  man  in  a  st)eial,  thoii<,di  iinpt)lisheil 
state.  It  is  lit)  erilerion  It)  jmlue  of  this  state  of  society  by 
the  I'tiaminu-  savages  (truly  smdi)  who  are  nu  t  with  t)n  these 
iniiosjiitable  coasts  where  iiahiri'  is  niiry'arti'v  of  lu-r  <;'ilts, 
and  where  the  skies  frt)wn  continually  on  'ler  Inird-fiitod 
chihlreii.  Ft>r  st>me  n'ood  reason  tt)  us  mikmiwn,  it  is 
retpiisite  that  human  beiiii^s  slit)ultlbe  scattered  through  all 


NrilMoIItS    i)V    AN     A.Mi:i!I('.\N    LaI)Y 


71 


■rs, 

kiM- 

«rs 


icn 


'>y 


'SI' 


ts. 


l(Ml 


IS 
ill 


I 


h;iltilal)l('  spMci',  "till  L;r:i<lii;il  lift'  yocs  oiif  Ix-iicatli  tlu' 
|»t)Ii'  :"  ami  t<»  Ikmii^s  so  (IcstiiicM,  what  inisci y  woultl  result, 
tVom  social  ti'inK'nicss  and  lint-  |>('iX'(|itioiis.  Ot'  (lie  class 
ol"  social  liciiiys  (i'or  such  iiiilccd  they  were)  of  whom  I 
speak,  let  us  j  IK  life  from  the  t  I'aileis  who  know  tlieir  lani^Miane 
and  customs,  and  tVom  the  ailo|i|ed  prisoners  who  have  s|>eiit 
yi'ars  amoni:,'  tliem.  How  une(|uivocal,  how  consistent  is 
the  testimony  tliey  hear  to  their  humanity,  frien(lshi|t,  for- 
titude, fidelity,  and  ixeiierosity  ;  hut  the  indul^'nce  of  the 
recollections  thus  sunL|,('sted  have  already  led  me  too  I'ar 
from  my  sul»jeet. 

The  joy  that  the  return  of  these  you''  ■  occasional  was 
projtortioiied  to  the  anxiety  their  |ieriloi.  jf.  uev  had  |iro- 
diU'cil.      In  some  instances  tlie  union  >       the  I'rs  imnietli- 

ately  took  |ilace  heforethe  next  care-  ■  o|  •••linful  hardshi|is 
coinnu'nced.  Uiit  the  more  cautious  -w  .  t  >  New  \'ork  in 
winter,  dis|iosed  of  their  peltry,  pi  -liasiMl  n  lai'Lfer  earyo, 
and  another  slave  and  camx'.  'i'he  <  year  they  laid  out 
the  ]»idtits  of  their  fornu'r  ail  ventures  in  tlour  and  pro\  isions, 
tiu'  stapii'  of  the  province  ;  this  they  disposed  of  ;it  the 
Hermuda  islands,  where  they  <;eni'i-ally  pur<'hased  one  of 
those  liii'ht  sailing",  cedar  schooners,  for  huildini;'  of  which 
those  islanders  are  famous,  and  pritceediui;'  to  the  leeward 
islands,  loaded  it  with  a  carijo  of  rum,  suyar  and  molasses. 


Tl 


ley  were  now  ripenei 


1  int 


o  men,  and  consn 


lere.l 


IS  act  i\  t' 


and   useful   memhers  of  societv,  iiossessinu'  a  stake   in   the 


common  wea 


The  youne;  adventurer  had  sjjenerally  tlnishe(l  this  pi'ocess 


hv  tlu'  time  hi'  was  one,  (U'  at  most,  two  ami    tweiitv 


11( 


now  married,  or  if  married  hefore,  which  pretty  often  was 
the  case,  hroiioht  home  his  wife  to  a  house  of  his  own. 
l^^ither  he  kept  his  schooner,  ami  loailiiiii;  her  with  protliice, 
sailed  up  and  down  the  river  all  summer,  and  all  Avinter 
<lisposed   of   thecari^'oes    he  ol>taiiH'd  in    exchange  to   more 


distant  settlers  ;  or  he  so 


•h 


d  I 


ii'i",  purcnased  i^^iiropean  t;'(>'»<is, 


•  I 


I 


72 


Mi;m()1J{s  of  an  Amiihican   Lady, 


ami  k('|tt  a  store.  <  )ili»'r\vis(' lie  scfllcfl  in  tlic  I'uiutlry,  ;ui(] 
Ifi'Ciiiiu'  as  (liliLfciit  in  liis  aifricultural  |Hirsuits  as  if  lu'  had 
iiuviT  known  any  ollii-r. 


CIIAPTKi;   X. 

M.VKItlAiiKS,   A.MrsK.MKMS,    IJri.'Al.   Mxrr  1!SI(  ).\S,    i;il'. 

At  was  inlliis  inainitT  that  the  yonni;  ('(»h)nist  madt' the 
transition  iVoin  Ixiyhuotl  to  inaiihnod  ;  IVoni  the  di-cnLTaiXcd 
an<I  carcli'ss  hachclttr,  to  tlic  ]»rovid('iit  and  thought  I'nl 
father  of  a  family  ;  and  thns  was  spent  that  piTiod  of  lifu 
so  eritieal  in  |M)lishe<l  society  to  tiiose  wliose  condition 
e.\ein|»ts  tiiem  from  manual  lahor.  Love,  nndiminished  hy 
any  rival  passion,  an<I  cherisluwl  l»y  imiocenee  and  caiidoi', 
was  here  H.\('(l  Ity  the  powei' of  early  halMt,and  sti'eni^theiied 
hy  similarity  of  edncation,  tastes,  and  attachments.  Incon- 
stancy, or  even  indilTert-nce  anions'  married  con|tles  was 
nnheard  of,  even  where  there  happened  to  he  a  eonsiderahle 
disp.arity  in  point  of  intellecl.  The  extreme  afVection  they 
hore  their  mntnal  oflVprin^-  was  a  hond  that  for  ever  endeared 


in  these  eases. 

Sneh  was  the  ma.nner  in  which  those  colonists  bcijan  life  : 
nor  must  it  he  tlioM!i,ht  (hat  those  were  ini'an  or  nniid'ormed 
persons.  Patriots,  mauist rates,  <;-enerals,  those  who  Averu 
afterwards  wi-althy,  powi'rfui  an<l  (listinniiishe<l,  all,  excejit 
a  few  eldei'  brothers,  occu|>ieil  by  their  |)ossessions  at  homo 


f 


1^ 


mnim 


immmmm» 


Mi;mihus  (if  an   Amkiucan   L.M)Y. 


I A 


m1 


. 


^ 


Hi't  uiit  ill  tlu'  saiiU'  iiiiimur  ;  :iii<l  in  alter  life,  f\rii  in  tlif 
most  iMnsjicnms  cirfunistjiiiccs,  tliry  <lt'lii:;lit((l  to  rtcoiint 
the  "  liimililc  toils  ami  ilcstiiiy  olisciin'"  of  tlu'ir  early  years. 

Tlie  vi'iy  idea  of  Weinj;"  asliame<|  of  aiiytiiiiiLT  tli:it  was 
iieitlier  viei(»iis  iioi"  iinlecent  never  entered  an  Allianian  li«'a<l. 
Karly  a<'eiist onieil  to  this  noble  siin|»lieity,  this  dii^nitiiil 
eainlor,  I  cannot  express  the  eonteiiipt  ami  ilis^iist  I  I'elt  at 
the  shame  of  hoiioralih-  ]ioverty,  the  extreiiu-  desire  ot 
eoiii-ealiiii;  oiir  real  condition,  ami  appearing  what  we  are 
not,  that  |»eenliarly  eharacteri/es,  I  had  almost  sai<l  distfraci's, 
the  iiorihern  |»art  niort'  particularly  of  thisislaml.  I  have 
ofti'ii  wondered  how  this  \ile  sentiment,  that  nndermiiu's 
all  trtu'  jxreatness  of  mind,  should  prevail  more  lure  than  in 
Km^dand,  where  wealth,  l»eyond  a  doiiht,  is  iiiori' respected, 
at  least  preponderates  more  o\»'r  liirlli,  and  heart,  and  mind, 
and  many  other  valuahle  eonsi^lerations.  As  a  people  we 
eertainlv  are  not  sordid,  whv  then  should  we  (h'seend  to  the 
meainiess  of  beini;  ashamed  of  our  condition,  while  we  have 
not  done  anvthiii}'  to  deiiradi'  ourselves?  Whv  add  a  stin^ 
to  poverty,  and  a  plume  to  vanity,  by  the  poor  transparent 
artilice  that  conceals  iiothiiii^,  and  only  chanties  pity  into 
scorn  V 

IJefoi-e  T  <iuit  the  sidijei-t  of  Albanian  manners,  T  must 
describe  their  amusements,  and  some  othei-  jteculiarities  in 
tlieir  modes  of  life.  Wlieii  I  sav  their  amusenu'iits,  1  mean 
those  in  which  they  dilVeri'd  from  most  other  jieople.  Such 
as  they  had  in  common  with  <»tliers  re(piire  no  descrij)tioii. 
They  wi're  e\"ceedinj.^ly  social,  and  visitecl  each  other  \ cry 
frecjuently,  beside  the  retjjular  assendtliiij^  toufether  in  poi'ches 
every  fine  eveninsjj.  Of  tlu'  more  substantial  luxuries  of  the 
table  thev  knew  little,  and  of  the  formal  ami  cercnionious 
parts  of  <;o(»d  breedinij  still  U'ss. 

If  you  Went  to  speml  a  day  anywhere,  you  were  receiveil 
in  a  manner  we  should  think  \ery  cold.  No  one  rose  to 
welcome  you  ;  no  one  wondered  you  had  not  come  sooner, 

10 


74 


TSIkMiiIIIS    III'    AN    A.MKItKAN'    L\I»Y 


or  ;i|H>|o|ri/t'il  Inr  ;mv  Mclificncv  iii  vnin-  ('iiltTt.'Uiinu'iit. 
DiiiiuT,  wliirli  was  wry  ciiilv,  was  scrvcil  cxactlv  in  the 
same  maimer  as  if  llicic  wen-  only  llw  lamily.  TIm'  Iioiiso 
iinh'i'il  was  so  cxniiisiti-iv  iical  ami  well  rtifiilafcil,  tlial  voii 
coiiiil  not  surprise  them  ;  aixl  they  saw  eaeh  other  so  I'l'teii 


iml    so    easily. 


thai 


intimates    maMe    no   dilVerenct 


or 


straiiLjers  thev  were  shv  ;  not  hv  anv  meaii>  I'loiii  want  ot' 
lios|iilality,  Iml  from  a  eonseioiisness  that  |teo|ile  who  had 
little  to  value    tlu'Miseht'S  on   hut    llieir  knowleduc  of  the 


.h 


.1 


modi's  ami  eeremomi's  ot  |iolisliei|  lile,  ilis|ik»'i|  their  sin- 
ct'rity,  and  des|tised  their  sim|tlielty.  If  you  showed  no  in- 
solent wondi'f,  hut  easily  an<]  (|uielly  adopted  their  manners, 
you  would  reeei\  ('  from  them  not  only  very  Lfreat  eix  ility,  hut 
much  I'ssential  kindness.  \\  hoe ver  has  not  common  sense  and 
eomimtn  i;ratitude  enou<di  to  pav  this  trihule  of  actommoda- 
tion  to  those  amoULT  whom  he  is  (U'stiiU'd  for  the  t  ime  to  live, 
must  of  course  l»e  an  insulated,  disj-onteiited  heiuLf  ;  anil  come 
honu'  railinic  at  the  people  whose  social  comforts  he  disdaiiu-d 
to  partake,  .\fter  shariui^  thi>  plain  and  unceremonious 
dimier,  which  mii;ht,  l>y  the  l>ye,ehanceto  he  a  very  <food  one, 
hut  was  in\  ariahly  that  which  wasnu'aiit  for  the  family,  tea 
was  ser\<'d  in  at  a  very  early  hour.  And  liei'c  it  was  that 
the  distinction  shown  to  stranu;ers  conunencecl.  Tea  lu're 
was  a  perlect  rt'Lrale  ;  accom|>anie<|  hy  various  si»rts  of  cakes 
unknown  to  us,  cold  pastiy,  and  LTi'cat  (|uantities  of  sweet- 
nu'ats  and  ]tresei\  imI  fruits  of  v.irious  kinds,  .and  jilati's  of 
hickory  and  other  nuts  ri-ady  cracke(|  In  .all  mamu'r  of 
confeclioiM'i'y  and  pastry  these  peopU' excelleil  ;  and  havinir 
fruit  in  threat  almnd.anci',  which  cost  them  nofhini;,  and 
Ufettiiig  su<;ar  luune  ;it  an  easy  rate,  in  reliirn  for  their 
exports  to  the  West  Indies,  the  (piantity  of  these  articles 
used  in  families,  otherwise  plain  and  fruLjal,  was  astonishing. 
Tea  was  never  unaccompanied  with  sonu'  of  these  petty 
articles  ;  l>ut  for  strangers  a  yri'.at  displ.ay  was  made.  If 
yoti  staid  supper,  you  were  sure  of  a  most  substantial  though 


I 


iiniiirTi  n|iTiMWiMiifc 


Mkmoius  t,K   \N   Amkkkan  Lady 


7.-i 


III 

1)1' 

lir 

■•I 

Is 


«1 

n 


plain  on<'.  [ii  this  incal  tlicy  )l<-|i:irt(><l,  out  of  ciiiiiiiliiuciil 
to  tlif  stniiiLjcrs,  riMin  tlu'ir  usiiiil  sim|>lirit y.  Ilaviiii;  diiifil 
Itt'twct'ii  twelve  ami  nnc  y<»ii  were  t|Mit('  |irf|iarcil  I'm' it. 
Villi  liail  fit Imt  ;^aiiM'  *>i  |n>iiliiy  mMvicd,  mnl  a!\vays  slicll- 
tisli  ill  t  he  season  :  yoii  Iia<l  also  iViiit  in  a)Miiiilaiici>.  All 
tills  with  nuicli  m-atnt'ss,  lint  no  foini.  'I'lie  s('»'miii«x  foM- 
iK'ss  with  which  you  w«'if  lirsl  iiccis  td,  w  oic  olV  liy  <lr<;r«'cs. 
'I'licy  coiijil  not  accoimnoilatc  tlu'ir  to|iics  to  you,  mihI 
Wiarc'ly  atl('iii|il»'<l  it.  I»iit  tin-  conversation  oi"  iheojd, 
thoiii^li  liniitcd  in  rcLfanI  to  sul»jei'ts,  was  rational  and  easy, 
and  had  in  it  an  air  of  originality  and  truth  not  without  its 
attract ifiiis.  That  of  the  youni;  was  natural  and  |i!ayi"iil, 
yet  Inll  <•!'  localities,  which  less«iH'd  its  interest  to  aslraiiLcer, 
hut,  which  were  extt'ri-niely  amusing  when  you  ln'i*;.  >  •  one 
of  the  initiated. 

'i'ln-ir  amusi'inents  were  marked  hy  a  sini|ilicity  which,  to 
strangers,  a|i|ieared  riule  and  childish  (I  mean  those  of  the 
yoiiiiLfer  class).  In  sprini^,  eit^ht  or  ten  of  the  yoiini;  |ieo|»le 
of  one  coinpany,  or  related  to  each  other,  yoiiniif  men  ami 
maidens,  would  set  out  toLTcther  in  a  canoi'  on  a  kind  of 
rural  excursion,  of  which  aniusemeiit  was  the  ol)je<'t.  \'et 
so  fixed  were  tlu'ir  hahits  of  industry,  that  they  never  failed 
to  carry  their  work-haskets  with  them,  not  as  a  form,  hut 
as  an  injjjredient  necessarily  mixecl  with  their  pleasures. 
They  InnI  no  attendants  ;  and  stet-rcMl  a  di'vious  course  of 
four,  live,  or  perhaps  more  miles,  till  they  arrived  at  some 
of  the  lieaiitiful  islands  with  whii'h  this  tine  river  ahounded, 
or  at  some  siM|uestei'ed  spot  on  its  hanks,  where  delicious  wild 
fruits,  or  ]»articular  <'onveniences  for  lishins;,  afforded  some 
attraction.  There  tlii'V  Ljeiierallv  arrived  hy  nine  or  ten 
o'clock,  ha\in<^  set  out  in  the  cool  and  early  hour  of  sun- 
rise. Often  they  met  another  party  jJJoing,  perliaps,  to  a 
dilVerent  place,  and  joined  them,  or  induced  them  to  take 
t'leir  route.  A  basket  with  tea,  su<far,  ami  the  otlier  usual 
provisions  for  breakfast,  with  the  apparatus  for  cooking  it  ; 


<•> 


Mk.nkuks  of  an  Amkkican  Laky. 


I 


a  littli'  nmi  uiid  fruit  for  iniikiiiii:  <m><>1  weak  |»uii('li,  tlu' usual 
li('v«'ram'  in  tlic  iniddlf  of  tlic  day,  an<l  imw  and  llii-n  some 
colli  pastry,  was  (lu'solc  provision  ;  for  tlu- i^^rcat  rdl'aii"  was 
to  dt'|t('nd  on  tlu-  solt'  i-xcrtions  of  tlu'  />'>//>•,  in  |»rocurintj 
fish,  wild  ducks,  etc.,  for  tlicir  ilinncr.  Tlicy  wcic  all.  like 
Indians,  ready  and  di'Xlcrous  with  the  a.\»',  u:un, ;  ic.  \\'''"n- 
ever  they  ai-rived  at  their  destination  they  soujiht  out  a  dry 
and  heaiitifnl  spot  opposite  to  tiu'  river,  and  in  an  instant 
with  their  axes  ch-arcd  so  much  superfluous  ^liaile  <»r  shrul»- 
l»ei-y  as  left  ;:  semicircular  opening;,  above  which  tlu'y  hi'Ut 
and  twined  the  houohs,  so  as  to  form  a  pleasant  hower, 
while  the  ••iris  gathered  drieil  lu-anclu's,  to  which  oni'  of  the 
youths  soon  set  lire  with  t^iin  powder,  and  the  breakfast,  a 
very  regular  and  cht'ci'ful  one,  occupied  an  hour  or  two  ; 
the  youni;  men  then  set  out  to  fish,  or  perhaps  shoot  l»irds, 
and  the  maidens  sat  busily  down  to  their  work,  siuixint;  and 
convorsintj;  with  all  the  easi-  and  gaiety  the  bright  serenity 
of  the  atmosphere  ;ind  beauty  of  the  surrounding  scene  were 
calcidatcMl  to  inspire.  .Vfterthc  sultry  hours  had  been  thus 
employeij,  tlu'  hoifK  bi-oumht  their  tril.r.te  from  the  rivt  r  or 
the  wood,  and  found  a  rural  meal  prepared  by  their  fair 
companions,  amonuf  whom  were  i;enerally  their  sisters  .".nd 
the  chosen  of  their  hearts.  After  dinner  they  all  set  out 
toirether  to  uather  wild  strawberries,  or  whatever  otlur 
fruit  was  in  season  ;  for  it  was  accounted  a  reflection  to 
cojue  homi'  empty  handed.  When  wearied  of  this  amuse- 
ment, they  either  drank  tea  in  their  bower,  or,  returninir. 
Iande<l  at  some  friend's  on  tlu'  way,  io  [»artake  of  that 
refreshment.      Ileiv,  indeecl, 

'•  YoutirB  free  8i)irit,  innnccnt'.y  jjiiy, 
Kiijoycc!  the  iinmt  tlint  innoci-ncf  couM  jjive." 

.\iiother  of  thi'ir  summer  amusements  was  ^oinj^  to  tin- 
bush,  which  was  thus  manaufed  :  a  party  of  younijf  people 
st't  out  in  little  open  carriat^es,  somethint;  in  the  form  of  a 
ixiy,  of  which  cNcry  family  Innlone  ;  every  one  carried  some- 


! 

1 


linyjii'iiit""!  iTii  ..^^ 


::*"* 


MkMuTRS    of    an    AmKRITAN    liADY. 


77 


lliiiig  willi  him,  ;is  in  tlu'sc  cast's  there  was  tio  Iimitiiitj:  to 
a«hl  jtrovision.  One  hrought  wine  for  iiet^us,  ant)ther  tea 
and  cofTi-e  of  a  su|>eri(>i-  <|uality,  a  lliii-<l  a  jiigeon  |)ie  ;  in 
shoi't,  every  ont-  l)ron«;ht  sotnethinn'  no  matter  how  trillinjx, 
for  there  was  no  enuiiation  ahon)  the  extent  of  ihi'  eontri- 
Imtion.  In  tiiis  same  hnsl!,  there  were  spots  t(t  whieh  the 
poorer  nienihers  of  the  eomnumitv  retired,  to  work  their 
way  with  ]iatient  in(histry,  thront>h  nine),  privation  and 
liardship,  compared  to  the  ph-nty  and  comfort  enjoyeil  l»v 
the  rest.  'I'hey  pei'haps  couhl  onlyafl'onl  toliave  one  ne<jro 
woman,  wliose  chihiren  as  tliey  irrew  np,  hccaine  to  their 
master  a  sonrce  of  ph'nty  and  ease  ;  hnt  in  the  ineantinie 
the  good  man  wronglit  haril  himself,  with  a  little  occasional 
aid  sent  him  hv  his  friends.  He  had  plentv  of  tlu  necessa- 
ries  of  life,  l>n?  no  luxnries.  His  wife  and  (langhter  milked 
tlie  cows  and  wronght  at  the  liay,  ami  hi-^  Inmse  was  on  a 
smaller  scale  than  the  older  settk-rs  had  theirs,  yet  he  had 
always  one  neatly  furnished  room,  a  \ery  clean  house,  with 
a  pleasant  portico  hefori'  it,  generally  a  tine  stream  beside 
his  dwelling,  and  some  Imlian  wigwams  near  it.  Jle  was 
wootl-surrounded,  and  seemed  al>^olutely  to  live  in  tlu'  bosom 
of  naturi',  scrt'ened  fron\  all  the  ai'tilicial  ills  of  life  ;  and 
those  spots  clearetl  of  incundnances,  yet  rich  in  native 
luxuriance,  had  a  wild  oiiginalily  :il»out  them  not  easily 
descril»e(l.  The  young  parties,  or  sometime><  elder  ones, 
who  set  out  on  this  woodland  excursion,  had  nt)  lixed 
destination,  they  \M'nt  generally  in  the  forenoon,  and  when 
they  wt're  tire^l  of  going  on  the  ordinary  road,  (iirnc<l  into 
the  />'/.s7/,  and  whenever  they  saw  an  inhabited  spot,  with 
the  appear.ince  of  which  they  weic  ple.i^ed,  went  in  with 
all  the  ease  of  intimacy,  and  told  them  they  were  come  to 
spend  the  afternoon  there.  The  good  people,  not  in  the 
least  surprisecl  ;it  this  incursion,  \ery  calniiy  opened  the 
reserve«l  a|tart nu'nts,  o;-  if  it  were  very  hot,  icceived  them 
in  the  portico.     The  guests  [iroduced  their  stores,  and  they 


"1 


u 


11 


7H 


M|;M(»IKS    UK    AN    AmKHU'AN    I.AMY 


l>oil«'(l  tln'ir  tca-kclllc,  ami  lunviiU'd  cii-ain,  nuts,  or  any 
|i('culiar  ilaiiily  ol  tlic  \\<mm|s  wliicli  llu-y  cliaiiccd  li>  liaxc  ; 
ami  llicy  always  I'liniislu'il  l>rca'l  ami  liiiltff,  which  they 
had  t'Xccllcnl  <•!'  their  kinds.  Thfy  \\»'r»'  insitcd  («>  share 
till'  (•( illation,  w  hicli  they  did  w  ilh  <;i-eal  ease  and  frankness  ; 
then  daneinn,  or  any  utlier  aninseinenl  that  strnek  their 
laiiey,  succeeded.  They  sauntered  ahont  thehonmls  in  thi' 
e\  eiiinLT,  Jind  retni'ned  liy  inonnliiiht.  'I'liese  j^odd  |ie()]ile 
felt  not  the  least  end»ari-assed  at  theinstic  iilainnessof  every 
thini;-  al»«iiit  them  ;  they  cunsideixil  thenist'h  «'S  as  on  the 
way,  alter  a  little  longer  exert  inn  ol'  iialieiil  industry,  ti> 
lia\«'  every  thini;'  thai  I  he  others  had  ;  and  I  heir  niiests 
tlioutj,hl  ii  an  aureeaMe  \ariety  in  tliisalnu|il  manner  to 
\isil  their  «e(|ueslered  ahodi-s. 


ciiArrKi;  xi. 

\Vi\ri;i:  .'vMi  si;mi;\  rs,  kit. 

In  winlei.  the  river,  lio/en  to  a  ureal  <le|>lli,  rornied  the 
|>rinci|ial  road  lhi-oui;'h  the  country,  :ind  was  the  scene  of 
all  tlio»e  amuscnieiil -.  of  skalinn'  and  sledi^e  races,  common 
to  the  Hoi'th  ol'  i'!uro|>e.  They  used  in  ii'rcat  parties  to 
visit  their  liitiids  at  a  distance,  and  liavin^  an  excellent 
and  liardv  hrccd  ol'  horses,  llevv  tVom  place  to  place  over 
the  '-now  or  ice  i'l  these  sled^'cs  with  iiicretlilile  rapidity, 
slopping  a  lilllc  while  at  every  house  they  came  to,  and 
aluavs  well  received  whether  aopiainled  with  the  owners 
or  not.  The  nin'ht  never  impe(|cd  these  t  r.avelers,  I'or  t he 
atmosphere  was  -.o  pure  and  serc:ie,  and  the  snow  so  rc- 
llected  the  moon  and  stardij^ht,  that  the  nij^hls  exceeded 
t  he  days  in  heanty. 

In  lown  .all  the  hnifs  were  exl  ra  .aidant  ly    fond  of;!  diver- 
sion that  to  Us  would   appear  a    v  i  ry  odd  and    childish  one. 


gmgTjg^^jiaBg/gisejigjBB^csat: 


^Jmf- 


-!• 


Mi;.M(»ius  OF  AN    Amkiucan    Lai>v. 


79 


Tlio  ^rv\{  street  til"  the  ttnv.i,  ill  tlie  midst  ut'  wliieli,  :is    has 
IxH'ii  t"(irmer!y  iiieiilioiKMl,  sttxxl  ail  the  ehiirelies  and  i)iil)]ie 
biiihliiiiis,   sloped    down    Innii    the   liill    on    wliich    the    I'ort 
stood,   towanls    the    ri\cr;    hetweeii    iiie    Imildiiiys  was    an 
unpaved    eairiaije    load,    tlie     foot-patli    liesidi'    tlie    houses 
heinLf   tlie   only    |iait    oi'   the    st  rei't    \\hieh    was    paved.      In 
winter  this   sloping    descent,   eontiiiiied    lor    more    than    a 
(piarter  of    a    mile,   ae(|nired    lirmiiess   I'ldm    the    I'lo^i,   :ind 
hecame    exlreinelv    slippery.       'riieii     the    amiiseiiielit     coiii- 
lui'iieed.       Kvery    lH)y    and    youth    in    town,    I'loni   eiulil     to 
eiti^hteeii,  had  a  litt  le  low  sledn'e,  made  with  a  rope  liUe  a  hiidle 
to  the  front,  l»y  which  it  conid  he  drau«^e<l  alter  one  l»y  tlu' 
hand.     <  )n  t  his  one  or  t  wo  at  most  could  sit,  and  this  slopiii;^ 
descent   heiiiLj  nnnh-as  sniooih  .i>  a  lookini;  u'lass,  liv  sliders" 
sledLfcs,  etc.,  perhaps  a  hiiiidreil  at  once  set  i>ut   in  siiccessioii 
i'rom  the  lop  of    this  street,  each    seated    ill  his    little  sleiliiC 
with  the  rope  in  his  liaml,  which,  draw  n  to  the  lioht  or  left, 
scrveil    to  oiiide    him.       lie  pii>hed    it  oil"  wilh  a    little  stick, 
as  one  would  launch  a  hoat  ;   and  then,  w  itii  the  most   ;i>ton- 
ishiiii:'   xclocity,    precipitated    Ity  the  weight    of   thr   owner, 
the  little  machine  n'liileil  past,  and  was  at    i.ie  lower  end  of 
the  street  ill  an  in  taut.     What  could  he  so  delinht  fill  in  this 
rapid  and   smooth  <lescent    I  could    never  disco\  er  ;   tlioiiL;li 
in  a  more  retire(|  pl.ace,  aii<l  on  a  smaller  scale,  I  have  tried 
the  amusi'meiil  ;    hut    to  a  \.>uiiu;  .\lhaiiiaii,  slei'^hiiii;'   ;is  he 
called  it,  was  one  of   ihc  lir^t  joys  of   life,  tliouLi'li    attended 
hy    the   drawback    of    walking-    to   the    lop   of   the   declivity 
drai^iiiiiLJ  his  sledge  ev  erv  time  he  renewed  his  lliLrhl,  lor  sik  li 
it  iniuht  wi'll  Itei'alled.     In  t he  manaujinij  t hi^  lilt  le  iii.ichiiie 


some    dexteiltv    was    iiecessaiN 


an   nil 


dvillfl 


IkcIoii    was 


sure   to  f;.ll 


'I'll 


•onvevaiice  was   so    low,  that    a  I' 


ill  w  a? 


attemleti  with  little  danii'er,  vet   with  much 


disn-r 


ice,  loi'  an 


universal  laiinh  from  all  sides  ass.ailed  the  fallen  charioteer. 
This  laiin'h  was  fidin  aveiv  lull  choiiis,  for  the  con><tant  and 
rapid   siicei'ssioii  of  this  procession,  where  ev«  ry  one  had   a 


i! 


i 


<so 


MK.MtilKS    OF    A.N     A  .M  Kl!  K'AN     LaDY, 


hntf her,  lover,  or  kiiisinaii,  l>r<>ii!^ht  :ill  tlic  y«»uiitj  ]mm)]i1('  in 
lowii   to  llic  |torticos,  wlicit'   they  use!   to  sit  \vr;i|>t    in  I'ms 
till    ten    or  »'l('\('ii   at    iiinlit,    ciiLjrossctl    liy    this  <l('l('ct:il>U' 
s|icct;ult'.     \N  lial  inaLjical  attraction  it  coiiM  possibly  liavc, 
I  n('\ cn'oiiid  lind  out  ;   Iml   I  liavc  known  an  All»aiiian,  alter 
residing"  some  years  in  llritain,  anfll»eeoiiiiiii;- a  |iolislie<l  line 
yi'nt lenian,    join   tln'  s|m)i|,    ami    slide    down  witli    the    rest. 
ri'rlia|ts,  al'ter  all  onr  laborious  refinements   in  anmsement, 
l»eintf  easily  pleased  is  ont' of  the  i^reat  secrets  ol"  ha|)|iiness, 
as  far  as  it  is  attainable  in  this  "frail   and  feverish   beini;.'' 
Now  there    remains  aMolher  amusement    to  bi- described, 
which  I  nwution  with  reluctance,  and  should  scarce  \  cut ui'e 
(o  mention  at  all  had  I  not  found  a  |irece<lent  for  ii     nioni.^ 
the    \  in  nous    Spartans.      Mad    l.ycurnus    himself    been    the 
founder   of    their  communit  V,  the   younij   men  co'dd   scarce 
have  stolen  with  more  alacritv  and  dexterity.     I  could  never 
ciuijeclure  how  the  custo'u  could   possibly  ori^inaM      i    oiiuj 
a  st'l  of  people  of  such  pt  rl'eet  and  plain  intcurii  v.     'I;  i    ihus 
it   was.      The  younn'    m»Mi    now  ;ind    then    si.c;t;    a   coinivial 
evciiiuu'  at  a  tax  ern  toLTcther,  \\here,  fron;  t  iie  e\l  ;<     'c  cheap- 
ness  of   li(pior,    their   liilis(e\t'n    when    they  <  oum     ttcd    an 
occasional    excess)    were   verv  moderate.      Iv^'u!    (o    Ics^  'ii 
the   expense  of    the  supper,  or  fidui    ll.i'   p^',"    !o\eof   w  !iaf, 
(hey  styled    frolii    ,'  \'!  >;|ice   mis(  hief ),  they  never   failed    ti 
steal    either  a    roasting-   »<•..  <•     a  fat    turkey  for  this  fcstiv 
occasion       The   'own  v'' n-   Uii       •cue  >  f    t Iwsc  dcp. rdat ions, 
which  iie\er  extended    iu  \   .u<i  it.      Swine  ami  turke\s  \\«re 
reareii   in  ureat  mimbers  by  all   the  inhabitants.      For  those 
they  brought    to  town  in   winter,   they    hail   an    appropiiate 
place  at  the  lower  end  of  the  irardcu,   in    which    they    were 
locked  up.      It  is    observable,    tluit  these    animals    were    the 
only  thini^s  locked  upabout  the  house,  for  this  sjood  reason, 
that  nothinLT  el-e  ran   the    least    risk  of   beinsj;   stolen.     The 
dexteiity  of  the  theft  cousistini;  in  cliuihin<x  <»\('r  xcrv  liich 
walls,  watchiuLT  to  sMc.iI  in  when  the   neixroes  went  down  to 


r 


iiiin-  in-ii-  -i-j-it 


^ 


il 


Nfi'iMoins  (»K  ,\\   .\.mi:kic  \x   L\i>v 


SI 


Iced  the  liorsc  or  cow,  or  iii;ikiii^'  ;i  cluiiilcstiiic  ciif raiicc  .il 
some  window  or  :i|M'rlui-<'  :  hrciikiiin'  ii|M|oors  was  ijiiilcoiil 
of  rule,  Mini  rart'l\  ever  rcsortfil  |o.  TIh'sc  ('\|t|oils  were 
always  iicrrormcil  in  I  In-  ilarkcsl  ni<;lits  ;  il'  I  lie  owner  heard 
a  n<iise  in  liis  sialtle^,  lie  ii'-iially  ran  down  with  a  cndL'el, 
and  laid  it  witliont  nie.  -y  on  any  cidprit  he  eonhi  o\  ertake. 
This  was  either  deNtei'oMsK  a\  oided  or  |iatient  l\  home.  To 
|ilinider  a  man,  and  afterwards  olTer  him  any  [lersonal 
injury,  was  aeconnled  seandajons  ;  Init  the  t  nrke\  s  or  |ii<:;s 
were  never  recovered.  In  some  instances  a  whole  hand  of 
these  youn^'  |>luiiderers  wonhl  traverse  the  town,  and  -arry 
o(V  snch  a  prey  as  would  all'ord  provision  for  many  jovi.al 
iii^'ht<.  Nothing  was  more  common  than  to  lind  one's 
Itrothers  oi-  neplii'ws  amoni^sl  tlcse  pil'i^-ers. 

M.Mrriane  was  followed  l>y  two  drcadfnl  privations;  a 
mai'rieil  man  could  U'lt  tlv  down  the  street  in  a  little  sledge, 
or  join  a  |iartv  of  pi'_j-  stealers,  vvitln  lit  ouira<xi",i^  dec(U-um. 
If  any  of  their  confederates  m:irrie(i,  a>-  they  frei|nenlly 
did,  \«'rv  voun^',  and  were  in  circumstance^  to  lie^in  hoiise- 
keepiiiLT,  they  n'ere  Mire  of  an  early  visit  of  this  nature 
from  their  old  coiifeclerates.  It  was  ihounht  a  ^real  aci  of 
ii'allaiitrv  to  overtake  and  chastise  the  idlihers.  I  reco'lf  t 
an  iu'^tance  of  one  voiiiil;'  married  man,  who  hail  not  Ioult 
attained  to  thai  di^Miitv,  whose  t  urke\  s  scrcaminy"  \lo|er>tly 
one  nin'hf,  he  ran  down  to  chastise  the  a'_ru"ressoi's  ;  he 
overtook  them  in  the  i'act  :  luit  liiidinL;'  they  were  his  (U'i 
associates,  could  not  resist  the  force  of  '  hit,  jollieij  the 
rest  in  another  exploit  of  the  same  natui'  nl  then  shared 
his  own  t  iirkey  at  the  tavern.  There  u^  two  inns  in  the 
town,  the  masters  of  which  were  "  hoi  .  uahle  nu'U  f  \et 
these  pin's  and  turkeys  were  always  re  »eil  and  dressed 
without  <|Uestioninij,'  whence  they  cam  In  one  instance, 
a    younu,-   party    h.-id    in   this   manner  iiled   a    piu',   and 

ordered    it    to   lie    roa>^leil    at    the    Kini:"-    Arms;    aiiolher 

party  attacked,  the  same  place  vvlien(e  t  hi-  1 ty  was  taken, 

I  I 


I 
I 


S2 


Mkvioirs  of  av  Amimucan  Lady. 


H 


Imt  fouiul  It  aliciuiy  riHctl.  'I'liis  i»:irty  w:is  licadc"!  1)y  an 
itllo  iiiisclii('V(Mi«  yoiiiii^  masi,  wlio  was  tin-  Nctl  I'oiiis  of 
his  fraternity  ;  woll  jxiii'ssiiiLj  ln>\v  llic  stolen  roastini;  \>\ii 
was  »lis|M)setl  of,  he  ordere^l  his  friends  to  adjonrn  to  the 
rival  tavern,  and  went  himself  to  the  Kind's  Ai-nis. '  lnt|uir- 
int;  in  the  kitchen  (nhere  a  piu;  was  roastinu:)  win)  su)»|te<l 
there,  he  so(tn  ari'lveil  at  et-rtainty  :  then  takintj;  an  o|i]»or- 
tnnitv  when  there  was  no  one  in  the  kitchen  hnt  the 
eook-niaitl,  he  sent  for  one  of  the  jovial  party,  who  were  at 
cards  lip  stairs.  Dni'inLT  hei' al)sence,  he  cnt  the  strinj^hy 
which  the  pii;  w:is  snspended,  laid  it  in  the  drippini;  pan, 
and  throiiixh  the  (piiet  and  d.ark  sti'ee  >l'  that  soher  city, 
carried  it  safely  to  the  other  tavern  :  w...  re,  after  linishintf 
the  roastint;,  he  .and  his  coinp.mions  prepared  to  reualo 
themselves..  .Meanliiiu  the  piu;  w:is  missed  .at  tlu'  Kind's 
.\rms  ;  and  it  was  inime(liately  coiiclndeil,  from  tlie«le\terity 
and  address  with  which  this  trick  was  ))i'rformed,  t hat  no 
other  hut  the  i'oins  afores.aid  could  he  th«'  .author  of  it.  .V 
new  st r.ata^eni  was  now  di'\ise(lto  outwit  this  stcali-r  of 
(he  stolen.  .\n  aihiiiluroiis  youth  of  the  despoiletl  party 
lai<l  ilown  :i  p.arcel  of  shavi  '^j^s  opposite  to  theothei'  t.avern, 
iU!(l  setting  them  in  a  hl.a/.e,  cried  lire  !  ;i  most  alarmintj 
sound  hvvv,  where  sui-li  accidents  were  too  frequent.  Kvery 
one  rushed  out  of  the  house,  where  suppi-r  h:i<l  Ween  just 
served.  The  ■!.  xteroiis  purveyor,  who  hail  occasioned  all 
this  di^turh.i  I'c,  stoh'  i!i,  snatclu'd  \jp  the  dish  with  the  )>i<jf 
in  it,  stole  out  aiiain  hy  the  hack  tloor,  ami  feasted  hi.s 
companions  with  die  reco\ere<l  spoils. 

Thesi'  were  a  few  idle  youiiL!,'  men,  the  sons  of  avaricious 
fatlu'rs,  who,   L!;ru<l_L,nii<;;  to   advaiic  •   th>'   means  of   pusiiing 


'  Tliiri  tiiviTii  was  on  tlie  noi-tli-wt'st  orinr  of  Orccii   iiiid   IJciivcr 

Htrt'fts,  till'  siyn  of  wliidi  bor.'  tl fH>:y  of  Kin^r  (Jcorfrc     Oiif  of  tho 

early  outbur.sis  of  iiairioiisiii  in  tic-  rt'voliition  spent  its  fury  m  wrest 
injf  this  obnoxious  einblfiii  of  royalty  troin  its  liaii^injfs,  uik!  it  was 
burnt  in  State  Htrect. —  M. 


■WMi 


mat 


Mi:M(»ihs  uk  A.N  Aj(!  Kill  CAN  Lai>y 


H3 


tliem  forwnnl  by  flic  licl|>  of  ihcir  own  iii<lustfv  to  iiidc- 
ItciMlcncc,  .'illowcil  (hem  to  ri'iiiMiii  so  long  uno('(Mi)»i«'(l,  that, 
tlicir  linu'  was  wasti'tj,  ami  lialiits  of  com  iviality  at,  length 
ilcgcnci'atcd  in  those  of  (lissi|iaiion.  Tlu-sc  were  not  only 
piticil  and  endui'etl,  lint  received  with  a  degree  of  kindness 
and  indidgenee  that  was  wonderfnl.  They  were  nsnally  a 
kind  of  wags,  went  altoni  like  |trivilege(|  persons,  at  whose 
jests  no  one  look  olTeiice  ;  and  were  in  their  discourse  and 
style  of  lininor,  so  nnich  like  Shaksjieare's  clowns,  that  on 
reading  that    adinirahle  author,  I  thought  I   recogni/.ecl  my 


illllIMM,     I     IM<IU<^in      i      HT<  l^lll/.l'll    Illy 

Of  these,   however,    I    saw   little,    the 


1    ac(|nainlaiices.      ()|    iliese,   however,    I   saw 
.•ietv  adn\ittcd  at  niv  friend's  lieing  vci-y  select. 


ciiArrKi;  xii. 

LAY-lii:ori'i:i;s —  Miss  S( m  yi.kk —  Dkiai  iikd  Indiavs. 

JjKKOlJK  I  (|nil  this  aftem|tt  ■■>  delineate  the  members 
of  which  this  conunnniu  w  is  com|>osed,  I  iniist  inention  a 
class  of  aged  persons,  who,  nniied  l>v  the  same  recollections, 
|iiirsiiiis.  Mild  topics,  associateil  very  much  with  each  other, 
and  xcry  little  with  a  world  which  they  seeme(l  to  have 
renounce(|.  'I'liey  might  be  sIvIimI  lay-brothers,  and  were 
usually  widowers,  or  persons,  who,  in  conse(|ueiice  of  some 
early  disappoint  ineiit,  had  remaineil  nnmari'ied.  These  were 
not  devotees  who  had,  as  was  fcrinerly  often  the  case  in 
("atholic  countries,  run  fi-om  the  extreme  of  licenti<»iHness 
to  that  of  bigotry.  They  were  generally  persons  who  were 
iievei-  marked  as  being  irreligious  or  immoral  ;  and  jusi  as 
little  distinguished  for  peculiar  strictness,  or  devotional 
fervor.  These  good  men  lived  in  the  house  of  sonic  rehition, 
where  they  had  their  own  apartineiits  to  themselves;  and 
only  occasi.iiially  mixi'd  with  the  f.amily.  The  peojde  of 
the    town    lived    to  a   great    age  ;  ninety    was   frcnpiently 


I 


* 


I  i 


84 


Mi:M(»ihs  (IF  AN   Amkuk  AX  Lai»y 


:itl:iiii('<l  ;  .-iiiil  I  li.ivr  seen  ditl'crciit  iiidiv  iiliiiils  of  Ih.iIi  sc.M'S 
who   li:i(l  r(':icli('(l   an  Iminlitil.     Tlicsc   aiicii'iits   sci'incil  to 


tec  all  tlicii'th 


liirlit 


III  |iioiis  Itooks 


ami  <ic\  (il  joiial  exercises. 


I    1 


|iarti<Milarly  in  siiiifiiiii'  |tsalms,  wliifli  llicy  uoiild  doin  tlicir 
own  a|iait  iiiriits  I'or  lioiirs  loiii'tlicr.  Tlicx  caiiic  oiil  and  in 
like  u'lio^ls,  ami  wcrt'  1  i-catcd  in  tlic  sainc  inaniicr  ;  t'oi'tlify 
iit'\cr  s|»ol\c  unless  w  Ih'Ii  addressed,  and  seemed  scry  eaieless 
of  tlie  tliint^s  of  this  world,  like  |ieo|tle  who  had  i^ot  ahoxe 
it.  ^  et  they  were  inneh  together,  and  seemed  to  enjoy 
each  other's  (onxcrsatioii.  IJel  ros|K'etion  on  the  scenes  of 
early  lil\',  ant  ieipation  of  that  I  nt  iirity  so  closely  \ cili'd  rroiii 
our  siylit,  and  discussions  reLr:iriliii!4'  ditVereiit  passaiifes  of 
holy  writ,  seemed  their  I'axoiite  themes.  They  were  mild 
ami  liene\  olciil,  hut  ahst  raiie<l,  and  unlike  other  ]>e<>|i|e. 
Their  ha|i|iiness,  for  h:i|>|iy  I  :iin  convinced  they  were,  was 
of  a  nature  ]iecnliar  to  t  heinseh  es,  not  ol>\ious  to  others. 
< ) tilers  there  were  not  deticieiit  in  their  attention  to  religious 
duties,  who  li\iii!:,'  in  the  hosom  of  their  ramilies,  to(rk  an 
active  and  cheeiriil  concern  to  the  last  in  all  that  amused 
or  intereste<l  them  ;  and  1  never  understood  that  tlu'  lay- 
In'otliers,  as  I  jiaxc  chosi'ii  to  «'all  tlu'iii,  blamed  them  for  so 
(loiiiu:.  One  of  the  first  ("hristian  virtues,  charily,  in  the 
most  ohvitnis  and  common  sense  of  the  word,  had  little 
scope.  Here  a  l>eu!^:ir  was  unheard  of.  I'eopli',  such  as  I 
have  desciilteil  in  the  /*//.s'A,  or  n'oiim'  there,  were  iio  more 
considered  as  ohjecf s  ol'  pity,  than  w c  <'oiisi(|er  an  ap|»reiitice 
as  siK  h  for  having'  to  sei-vc  his  time  hel'ore  he  sets  up  I'or 
hi  I II  sell.  III  such  cases,  I  he  vvi-alt  hier,  hecaiise  older  sett  lers, 
i'ri'ijiieni ly  i^ave  a  heit'er  or  coll  each  to  a  ih'W  ltei;'iiiiier,  who 
set  ahoiit  clearinLj  land  in  I  heir  vicinity.  ()rpliaiis  were 
never  iie;.^Ie('t('d  ;  and  from  their  early  mairiayes,  and  the 
casualties  their  inamier  of  life  siiltjecteil  them  to,  these 
were  not  iinrrecjiieiit.  Von  never  entered  a  house  without 
iiieetint,'  children.  Maiileiis,  hachelors,  and  childless  married 
|>ei)pU',  iill  adojited  orphans,  and  all  treated  them  as  il'lliey 
Avt'iv  their  own. 


Memoirs  of  an   Amkhkvw  Lahv 


8') 


II,i\iiit;  u'ixfiiM  skclcli,  tli;if  M|i|ic;irs  In  m\  it'cuHccliun 
(jii<h'<l  !»y  Mil>>(M|iiciil  ciiiiv  cisMlidiis  willi  my  fflltiw  t  i;i\  cli  is) 
;i  t':iit lit'iil  iiiic.  111'  the  (•(Hinlry  mihI  ils  iiili.iliil.iiils,  il  is  lime 
to  iiliini  Id  llif  liisldi-y  (if  tlic  iiiiiiil  <>[  .Miss  ScIhin  Icr,  fur 
liy  III)  ntlicr  cii-ciiiiisluiifcs  I  liMii  |>n'iii;il  iiril  \  of  inlcllt'cl,  ;iimI 
sii|icii(ii(iilliii(',  wvw  licr  ciiilitsl  years  ilisruiLTiiislnil.  Her 
r.'itlicr,  ilyiiiix  f.iily,  h'Tt  licr  xt-cy  miicli  In  tlic  liiiliun  i>\'  his 
lu-dlliii'.  Ilcr  niiclc's  iVnui  icr  >ilua)iiiii  iiia'lc  liini  a  kiiul  of 
barrier  In  llie  seltleiiu'iil  ;  wliile  llie  ]m>\\ ci  I'lil  iiilliieliee,  tliat 
liis  kimw  IfiloT  ul'  iialiire  and  of  diaracler.  liis  sihiikI  jiidi;- 
iiieiil  and  nii'-lained  inleu'rily,  liad  ul  it, 'lined  over  lint  li  parties, 
made  liim  t lie  lioiid  liy  uliieli  llie  ;ilinriMii|,.s  were  iinilid 
willi  the  euloiiisls.  TliMs,  little  iciMire  \\,in  icji  liim  I'ur 
domestic  enjuynieiits,  iir  literary  |iiirsuils,  rnrliutli  nf  wliicli 
Ills  mind  was  |ieeiiliai-|y  ada|>led.  (  M"  I  lie  lei-iire  time  lie 
eoiild  eominaml,  however,  lie  made  llie  l»esl  use  ;  and  soon 
disliiiy'iiisliiiiLf  ('atalina'  as  the  one  anioiiLisi  his  family  to 
whom  nature  had  heeii  most  lilteial,  he  was  :it  the  |iaiiis  to 
eiiltixate  hei'  taste  for  i-eadiiiLT.  which  soon  discovered  itsell', 
Ity  |ii'ociiriii!j;  for  her  the  lioi  aiithois  in  history,  dixinity, 
and  Itellesdet  t  res  ;   in  this  latter  liraiich  her  reading  was  not 

very  e.vteiisive  ;   hill    then    the  few    I ks  of   this  kind  th.it 

she  |»ossessi'(|  were  very  well  chosen  ;  and  she  was  earl\  and 
inlimately  familiar  with  them.  What  I  reineinlier  of  her, 
assisted  hy  comjiiirisons  since  made  with  others,  has  led  me 
to  think  that  extensive  reading,  sii|ieilici;il  .mil  indiscrimi- 
nate, such  as  the  very  easv  access  to  honks  .iniont;  ns 
eiicoiirayes,  is  not  :il  an  e.irly  |n'riod  of  life  lavor.-ihle  to  soliil 
thinkiiii;,  true  taste,  or  lixed  |irinei|>le.  Wh.atever  she  knew, 
she  knew  to  the  hottom  ;  and  the  reth'ctioiis,  which  were 
thus  snix.li'ested  I  <•  her  si  foil  i^  disci 'mini;-  mind,  were  dinesleil 
hy  ine.aiis  of  easy  and  instructive  coiiv  ei-sat  ion.  Colonel 
Sehuyli'i'  had  many  ndations  in  New  ^'ol■k  ;  .ind  I  he  m»v crnoi- 
and  other   niliiiui:  characters  i  here  carefiillv    cultivated    the 


'Murgurctia. 


m 


m 


, 


< 


mfpmmmmmf^wm^^ 


5 

I 


80 


Mkmoi us  OF  AN  Amkiucan  Laky. 


!U'<|ii:iiiil;iiic(' <>r  !i  ]i('rs(tii   so   well   (|ii:iliru><|  t<>   iiistiiict  mikI 

inform  flicm  on  ccrtMin  poinfs  .is  Ik- \v;is.     Il;ivinj;' considcr- 

.'ililc  <l('!ilinirs  in  tlic  liii'  li';i<lr  loo,  In-  went  cvci-y  winlcr  lo 

the  c'liiitMl  I'd  I'M  si  I  oft  time,  lo  ;h1  jiisf  liisconnncrci;il  concerns, 

:ini|  ol'tcn  took  his  f.iv  orilc  niece  alony  with  luiii,  wlio,  bi'jnir 

ol'  Mil  imeoinmoii  ((iiick  i^n-owlli  and  ImII  siMtiire,  soon  attractiMl 

attention  l>y  Iier  |»eisonal  graces,  as   well  as  hy  tlie  <'liai'ni.s 

of  her  conversation.      I  have  l»een  toM,  an<l  shouhl  concliKlc 

From  a  |tictiire  I  have  si-eii  draw  ii  wlu'ii  she  was  iirteen,  that 

sho  was  in  her  youth  very  haiidsome.     Of   this  few  traces 

remainetj   when  1    knew   her  :  e\<<ssi\c   cor|>iiIence   havintj 

then  overloadi'd  lier  majestic  iieiM  ii,  and   entirely  chaiiLied 

the  as|ie(t  of  a  coiinteiiaiice  once  eminently  lji  acefiil.      In  no 

placi'  did  female  excellence  of  any  kintl  more  amply  receive 

its  due  tril)Uti'  of  api'lause  and  admiration  than  h   re,  for 

various   reasons;    l"'irst,    eiiltixatioii    and    reliiieiiient    werw 

rare,     'riieii,  as  it  was  not  the  conimtm  routine  that  women 

should    iiecess:irily   have   such   and   such   acconi|»lishnK'iits, 

]>alns   were   only    taken    on    minds   strong;  enouijh  to  ln'ar 

improvements    without    UecomiiiL;-    conct'ited    or    pedantic. 

And   Lastly,  as   tlu' spur  of  emulation    was  not    iinidiously 

applied,  those  w  ho  ac<|uired  a  superior  <U'*^ree  of  kiiowledufo 

coiisideriMl   themselves   as   very   fortunate   in  having  a  new 

source  of  enjoyment   opeiu'd   to  them,      lint   never  having 

l)een  made  to  understand  that  the  chief  motive  of  excelling 

was  to  da/,/.le  or  outshine   others,  they  no   niori'  tlutught  of 

despisinu'  their  less  fortunate  companions,  than  of  assuming 

prei'uiiiience  for  disco\  eriiig  a  wild  plum-treo  or  bi'i'-hive  in 

the  \vt»o<|s,  thoiiiili,  as  in  tlu-  former  ease,  tliev  would  have 

regarded  such  a  discovery  :is  a  heiietit  and  a  pleasure  ;  tlieir 

accpiisitions,   tlieref(»re,   were   never  shadecj    by  affectation. 

The   women   were  all  natives  of  the  country,  and   few  liad 

more   than  domestic  education.     ]>ut  men,  who  possessed 

the   advantam's  of   earlv  (Milture   and  usaue  of   the   world, 

daily  arrived  on  the  continent  from  different  parts  of  Euroi>e. 


t 
I 


1 


Mi;.M<MItS    OF    AN'     A.MKItl     \  N     liAI'V. 


87 


So  tliat  if  We  may  lie  iiidiilyc*!  in  the  iiit'lcLTaiit  <•!'  lilicrt y 
talkiiii;  cninnu  rcially  nl'  rniialc  I'U'Lraiicc,  tlir  Mi|>|ily  was  imt 
»'<|iial  ti>  till-  ilfiiiaml.  It  may  Ik-  rasily  sii|i|i(»s»'il  ili.it  Miss 
Scliiiylcr  iiict  willi  due  attciit imi  ;  wliu,  cvi'ii  at  tliis  cMily 
aiji",  was  i-cs|t('ctctl  rurtlic  st I'l'iiirtli  ol'  licr  cli.-'ractfi',  ami  llic 
(liijiiity  ami  r<>iii|i(isiifi'  <»!'  Iicr  maniicfs.  I  Icr  imitlu  r,  wlioiii 
she  WcliiflittMl  to  ifcullcct,  w  as  mild,  pii'iis  mikI  amialdr  ;  licr 
ackiiowli'dLfcd  wiirtli  was  cliastciicd  l>y  the  iitm<»st  diiridcmc. 
\  i'\  at'custniiicil  to  I'Xci'cist'  a  rcrtaiii  i.owcr  o\  (  r  tlic  minds 
<»r  tln'  iiati\t's,  slic  had  nitat  inlliiciicc  in  it>t  laiiiiii-j;  tlicir 
irrt'nulai'ilics,  and  swayint;  tlicir  opinions,  l-'iom  Iicr  know- 
I('d<f('  of  tlii'ir  lanyiiai^c,  and  lia^it  of  coiin crsinn-  with  them, 
some  dctatlu'd  Indian  families  icsidt-d  for  a  w  hilc  in  snmincr 
in  the  vicinity  of  honscs  occn|iit'd  l»y  the  mmc  wealthy  and 
benevolent  inhahitanls.  Thev  ncnerallv  l»iiilt  a  slight  wi"-- 
warn  uiKh-f  shelter  of  the  oichaid  fence  on  the  shudiest 
side  ;  ami  iievi'i-  were  n«'iuhliors  more  hai'inless,  |ie;K'ealile 
and  ohlininL!;  ;  1  minht  tinly  add,  industrious  ;  for  in  one 
way  or  other  they  wcrt-  constantly  occii|iied.  The  women 
ami  tlii'ir  children  enqiloyed  ^hem^el\(■s  in  manv  ingenious 
handicrafts,  which,  since  the  int r(Mlnct ion  of  lOnropean  arts 
and  manufactures,  have  greatly  declined.  iJakiuu  trays, 
wooden  ilishi'S,  ladles  and  sjioons,  shovels  and  rakes,  Itrooms 
of  a  peculiar  manufactuie,  made  hy  splittini;'  a  hirdi  Mock 
into  slender  hut  touiih  filaments  ;  baskets  of  all  kinds  and 
sizes,  made  of  similar  lilaments,  enricheil  with  the  most 
beautiful  colors,  wiiich  they  alone  knew  how  to  extract  fntm 
vegetable  substances,  and  incorporati-  with  the  wood.  Thev 
made  also  of  tlie  birch  bark  (which  is  here  so  strong'  and 
toiKicious,  that  cradles  and  canoes  ai'e  made  of  it),  manv 
vcceptacK's  for  holdinLj  fruit  and  other  things  curiouslv 
adorned  with  eiid)roidery,  not  inele<fant,  <lone  with  the 
sinews  of  di'i-r,  and  IciiiLcions'  and  inooniesans,'-'  a  very  coin- 

'  Lojfjriiiw,  II  loiitf  jfiiiter  for  prntcciitiM^  tlic  aiiklf  and  Ic;,'.  Hpokcii  i.f 
in  ('apt.  Anbury's  book  of  travels  as  countrv  huots. —  M. 

'^  Moccusius,  u  shoo  or  cover  for  tin;  loot,  uiade  of  deer  skin  or  other 


.0  ^  ^^ 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


If  IM  IIM 

1^  i^    12.2 
2.0 


1.8 


1.4    IIIIII.6 


VQ 


<^ 


//, 


/, 


■n 


/A 


^%'/^i 


'/ 


Hiotographic 

Sciences 

CorpDration 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

(7)6)  872-4503 


88 


^Tkmoiks  of  an  Amfrican  Lai»v. 


" 


ff)rtiil)I('  iiiid  liiu'lily  onininciitcd  sul»stilutc  I'm-  sliocs  and 
stockings,  llicn  universally  used  in  wintci-  anmnL!,-  llic  men 
of  oui-  (iwn  |)('()|)I('.  Tlicy  had  also  a  l>t'autii'ul  niamit'acl  ni'c 
of  dcrr  skin,  s(i  It  (MM 'd  to  t  lie  consist  cnci'  ol"  tin-  iincst  clianiois 
Icatlicr,  and  cndn'oidcrcd  w  itli  l.cails  of  \\anii>nni,  loiancd 
like  l»u<4l<'s  ;  tlicsc,  wit li  urcat  ai't  and  iiidnst  ry,  tlicy  fornKMl 
out  of  shells,  which  had  the  a|ijiearance  ol'  line  white  ]iorce- 
lain,  veined  with  ]>Uf]ile.  This  eMd)roi(h'ry  showecl  Ixitii 
skill  and  taste,  and  was  anionn'  themselves  hi<j,hlv  valued. 
They  lia<l  Itelts,  larn'e  enihroidereij  <j;'artei's,  and  niaiiv  other 
ornaments,  lormeil,  tirsf  of  sinews,  di\ided  totiiesi/,e  ol" 
coai'se  thread,  and  al'terwai'ds,  when  thev  ohtaineil  worsted 
thread  from  us,  ot"  that  matei'ial,  formed  in  a  maimer  whi(di 
I  could  never  coni|irehend.  It  was  iieithei'  knitted  no!" 
wi"oui;ht  in  the  mamiei'  of  net,  noi'  yet  woNcn  ;  hut  the  lex- 
tnr<'  was  formed  more  like  an  olUcei's  sash  than  an\thin<i'  I 
can  com]>are  it  to.  While  the  women  and  children  were 
thus  employeil,  the  men  sometimes  assisted  them  in  the  moi'o 
laborious  part  of  their  business,  I)ut  oflener  occupicMl  them- 
stdves  in  fishinii,'  on  the  rivi'rs,  and  diwinsj,'  or  |ireser\  inn',  by 
means  of  smoke,  in  sheds  ei-ecled  for  the  |)ur]iose,  sturii'eon 
and  larti'e  eels,  which  they  cauyTit  in  n'reat  ([uantities,  and 
of  an  extraordinary  size,  i'or  winter  ]iro\ision. 

Hoys  on  the  ver^e  of  manhood,  and  ambitious  to  be 
admitted  into  the  huntinu;  ])arties  of  the  ensuinuj  winter, 
exercised  thenis(d\es  in  tryini;'  to  improve  theii'  skill  in 
arcliery,  Ity  shoot  in i;  l»ii'ds,  s(|uii'rels,  and  i-ai-oons.  Tliesc 
petty  huntiiiii's  helped  to  support  the  little  colony  in  the 
iieiL!,hl)oi-hoo(l,  which  howe\ cr  derive<l  its  principal  sul»sist- 
I'uce  from  an  exchange  of  th.eir  manufactui'es  with  the 
iK'iu'hlxu'ini;'  family  for  milk,  bread,  and  otlii'r  articles  of 
foo<l. 


Hof't  Icatlicr,  without  ii  sole,  and  nrnaincntcd  on  tlic  upjxT  side  ;  the 
c'listoinary  slinc  woi'ii  liy  tlic  American  Iiuliaiis.  Sonic  of  tlicsc^  dis- 
crciiancics  of  orthography  may  not  he  cliarifcaljU;  to  the  author,  but 
possibly  arc  what  arc  known  in  technical  parlance  as  typoyrttphicdl 
errors. —  M. 


"^ 


.NflLMDlRS    OF    AN    A.MEIUCAX    LaI»V. 


S!» 


Tlic  siimiiicr  rcsiiK'Hcc  ut'  tlicst'  iii<r('nious  artisans  |ir()- 
mott'd  a  uTcat  int iiiiary  bftwccii  tlii'  females  uf  the  vicinity 
ami  tlie  Indian  \v<»nien,  whose  sau'aeity  and  e()ni|)ivlu'nsi()n 
<^f'  mind  were  l)e»i.nd  lieliel'. 

It  is  a  sinii'nlar  eirenmstanee,  that  thony'h  they  saw  the 
lU'ifi'oes  in  (-verv  resiieetahle  family  n(»t  only  treated  with 
hnmanity,  I)ut  cherished  witli  jiareiital  kindm-ss,  they  always 
regarde(l  them  with  contempt  and  dislike,  as  an  interior 
rai-e,  and  would  have  no  eoinnumication  witii  them.  It  was 
necessaiy  then  that  all  conversations  shonld  he  held,  and 
all  business  transacted  with  these  fi'inales,  liy  the  mistress 
of  the  family.  In  the  inf.ancy  of  the  settlenu-nt  the  Indian 
ianujuan'e  was  familiar  to  tlu'  more  intrlliu'ent  inhabitants, 
wlio  fonml  it  very  useful,  and  were,  no  doubt,  pleasi'd  with 
its  nei'vons  and  empliatic  idiom,  and  its  lofty  and  sonorous 
cadence.  It  was  indi'cd  a  noble  and  cojtions  lann'uan'c,  when 
one  considers  that  it  served  as  the  vehicle  of  thought  to  a 
))eo]>le  wluise  ideas  and  s|ihere  of  action  we  slii»ukl  consider 
as  so  very  contiued. 


CITArTEII  XIII. 

Pkogkkss  ok  KNowi.KixiK  —  Imha.n  ^Iannkus. 

V,;()X\'KIJSIX(t  with  those  interesting  and  deeply  rellect- 
ing  natives,  was  to  thiidving'  minds  no  mean  source;  of 
enti'rtaiument.  ("oinmunication  soon  grew  i-asier  ;  for  the 
Indians  had  a  singular  facility  in  acipiiring  othei-  languages  ; 
the  children  I  well  renu'inber,  from  experimental  know  ledge, 
for  I  deliglited  to  lio\c'r  about  the  wigwam,  and  con\-ers(,' 
with  tliose  of  the  Indians,  and  wi'  very  frcMpiently  mingled 
languages.  IJut  to  return  :  whatever  comfort  oi- advantage 
a  good  and  benevolent  mind  jjossesses,  it  is  willing  to  exti'ud 
to  others.     The   mothei'  tif  my  friend,  and   otlier  matrons, 

12 


■~— =*»• 


90 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady, 


i    I 


who  like  hvv  cxjicnciici'd  the  consolations,  tlic  liojics,  and 
tlie  iovs  of  C'liristianitv,  wislu-d  tliosu  incstiniabk'  natives 
to  share  in  their  pnre  enjoynients. 

Of  all  others  these  mild  and  praetieal  Christians  were  the 
hest  fitted  tor  making  proselytes.  I'nliki'  jirol'essed  mis- 
sionaries, whose  zeal  is  not  always  see(»nde(l  by  jndgment, 
tliey  did  not  hegiii  hy  alarming  the  jealonsy  with  wliieh  all 
miinner  of  people  watch  over  theii"  hereditary  ])rejndices. 
Engaged  in  active  life,  they  liad  daily  oj)portunities  of 
demonstrating  the  truth  of  their  ri'ligion  by  its  influence 
upon  their  t-onduct.  K(|ually  unable  and  unwilling  to  enter 
into  (h'ep  disquisitions  or  poh'mical  arguments,  their  calm 
and  unstudied  explanations  of  the  essential  doctrines  of 
Christianity,  were  the  natural  results  which  arose  out  of 
theii-  ordinary  conversation.  To  make  this  better  under- 
stoijd,  I  must  endeavoi'  to  explain  what  1  haM'  obsei'ved  in 
the  unpolished  society,  that  occupies  tlu'  wild  and  remote 
regions  t)f  different  countries.  Their  conversation  is  not 
onlv  more  original,  but,  however  od('  tlie  expression  may 
appear,  more  philosophical  than  that  of  persons  ecpially 
destitute  of  mental  culture  in  more  populous  districts.  They 
derive  tlieir  subjects  of  reflection  and  conversation  more 
from  natural  objects,  which  had  minds,  possessing  a  certain 
degree  of  intelligence,  moi'e  foi-wani  to  trace  effects  to  their 
causes.  Nature  there,  too,  is  seen  ai'i'ayed  in  vii'gin  beauty 
and  simple  majesty.  Its  various  asjjccts  are  more  grand 
and  impressive.  Its  voice  is  more  distinctly  heard,  antl 
sinks  deejter  into  the  heait.  These  peo])le,  nu)re  dejtendent 
on  the  simjdes  of  the  fields  aiul  the  wild  fruits  of  the  woods  ; 
better  acquainted  with  the  forms  and  instiiu'ts  of  the  birds 
and  beasts,  their  fellow  denizens  in  the  wild  ;  and  more 
observant  of  everv  constellation  ami  every  change  in  the 
sky,  from  living  so  much  in  the  open  air,  have  a  wider  range 
of  ideas  than  we  are  aware  of.  With  us,  art  every  where 
combats  nature,  ojjposeslier  plainest  dictates,  and  too  often 


h 


ii 


mHlat 


^ 


Mkmoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


91 


conquers  lior.  Tiic  ))oor  are  so  confinod  to  the  s])()t  wliciv 
flu'ir  occuicitioiis  lie,  so  ciiu'rosscMl  by  their  striiuu'U's  for 
daily  bread,  ami  so  siirroiiudi'd  by  llic  woi'ks  of  man,  that 
those  of  their  eivator  are  almost  I'.xelmh'd  from  their  view, 
at  least  form  a  very  small  part  of  the  subjects  tluit  eiiui'oss 
their  thoun'hts.  What  knowledu'e  they  have  is  ofti'U  merely 
the  husks  and  orts  that  fall  fr(»iii  the  table  of  their  superiors, 
which  they  swallow  without  chewiuix. 

^fany  of  those  who  are  one  dei;'i'ee  above  the  lowest  class, 
see  nature  in  poetry,  novels,  and  otlu'i-  books,  and  never 
thiidc  of  looking;  for  her  any  where  else  ;  like  a  jjcrsou 
amused  by  seeing;'  the  reflection  of  the  starry  lieavens  or 
shiftiuii;  clouds  in  a  calm  lake,  lu-ver  lifting;  his  eves  to 
those  objects  of  which  he  sees  the  imperfect  tlu)Ugh  resem- 
bling pictures. 

Those  who  live  in  the  undisgaiised  bosom  of  tranciuil 
nature,  and  whose  cliief  em])loynient  it  is,  by  disencumber- 
ing her  of  waste  luxuriance,  to  discover  and  imj)rove  lier 
lati'ut  beauties,  need  no  boi-rowed  enthusiasm  {o  relish  the 
sid)lime  and  graceful  features.  The  venerable  sim))licity 
of  tlu-  sacred  scriptures,  has  sometliing  extremely  attractive 
for  a  mind  in  this  state.  The  soul,  v/hich  is  the  most 
familiar  with  its  '"reator,  in  his  works,  will  be  always  the 
nH)st  ready  t(>  recognize  him  in  liis  word.  C'oJiversations, 
winch  had  for  their  subject  the  nature  and  virtues  of  plants, 
the  exteiu  and  boundaries  of  woods  and  lakes,  and  the 
various  <)])erations  of  instinct  in  animals,  under  those  cir- 
cumstances where  they  are  solely  directed  by  it,  and  the 
distinct  customs  and  manners  of  various  untutoivd  nations, 
ti'uded  to  expand  the  mind,  and  teach  it  to  aspire  to  more 
|)erfect  intelligeiu-e.  The  untauglit  reasoners  of  the  woods 
could  not  but  observe  that  the  Europeans  knew  much  tliat 
was  concealed  from  them,  aiul  derived  many  l)enefits  and 
mucli  i)ower  from  tliat  knowledge.  "Wluu-e  they  saw  active 
virtue  keep  pace  with  superior  knowledge,  it  was  natural 


IJi 


'i 


!  I 

i 


I  :)' 


!i^ 


02 


Mi:.M(»iRs  OF  AN   Amkritax  Lady. 


t<»  coiicludi'  tliMl  iici'soiis  tlms  li('iK'tic*i:illv  ciili^Iitiiicfl,  liad 
•  •Ic'ircr  ami  ampler  views  of  lliat  I'lit  iiril  v,  wliieli  to  tliem 
oiilv  <limlv  u'leamed  lliroiii-h  roniiless  darkness.  Tlicv 
would  sti|i|»ose,  (oo,  that  those  illiiiiiiuatc*!  Leiiigs  liad  soiiio 
means  of  ai»|iroa('irniL(  lU'aref  to  tliat  sourct-  of  lii^'lit  and 
perfection  from  wliieh  wisditm  is  derivctl,  than  they  them- 
selves had  attained.  Their  minds  heiiiij^  thus  prepared  hy 
dei^rees,  these  ])ious  matrons  (proliably  assisted  liy  tliose 
lay-l)rothers  (»f  whom  I  have  spoken)  began  to  ditTuse  the 
knowledn-e  of  tlie  distini^uishinij  (hx-trines  of  C'liristiauity 
amoiijjf  the  elderly  and  well-inteutionc'<l  Indian  women. 
These  did  not  l»y  any  nu-ans  receive  the  truth  without 
examination  :  the  acuteness  of  intellect  which  discovered 
itself  in  theii"  ol>jections  (of  which  1  liave  heard  many 
striking-  instances)  was  astonishing  ;  yet  the  humble  and 
successful  instruments  of  enlightening  those  sincei'e  and 
candid  people,  <lid  by  no  means  take  to  themselves  any 
merit  in  nuikiug  jiroselytes.  \Vhen  they  found  their  auditors 
disposed  to  listen  diligently  to  the  truth,  they  sent  them  to 
the  clergymen  of  the  jdace,  who  instrueted,  contirnu'd,  and 
l>aptized  them.  I  am  sorry  tliat  I  have  not  a  clear  and 
distinct  recollection  of  the  exact  manner,  or  the  numbcis, 
etc.,  of  these  first  converts,  of  wlnmi  I  shall  say  more  here- 
after ;  but  T  know  that  this  was  the  usual  ]>i"ocess.  They 
were,  liowever,  both  zealous  and  persevering,  and  ])r()ved 
the  means  of  bringing  many  others  under  the  law  of  love, 
to  Avhicli  it  is  reasonable  to  suppose  the  safety  of  this 
unprotected  frontier  was  greatly  owing  at  that  crisis,  that 
of  the  first  attacks  of  the  French.  The  Indian  wonu'U,  who, 
from  motives  of  attachment  to  particular  families,  or  for 
the  j)urpose  of  carrying  on  the  small  traffic  already  men- 
tioned, were  wont  to  pass  their  summers  near  the  settlers, 
were  of  detached  and  wandering  families,  who  preferred 
this  mode  of  living  to  the  labor  of  tilling  the  ground,  which 
entirely  devolved  \\\K)n  the  women  among  the  five  nations. 


"iirr  mnriBHiiMMMiaiM 


t 


I 


^fEMOIRS    OF    AN    AmHRTPAN    LaKY. 


m 


l>y  tilliiin-  llir  sj^nmiid  I  would  nut  In-  iiiuli'rsti'od  to  iiicaii 
Miiy  scttlcil  mode  of  ai^ricidt urc,  i'('i|niriiin;  cattle,  ciiclosiircs, 
or  iiii|)k'iiu'iits  of  hiisliandry.  (Jraiii  made  l»iil  a  nci'v  miIi- 
ordiiiatc  part  oi"  tlu'ir  siil>si>tt'iicc,  wliicli  was  cliicll  y  dcrix  ctj 
iVoiii  tisliiiig  and  liiiiitiiit;".  The  little  tliey  liad  was  iiiai/e  ; 
this  with  kidiK-y  l»eaiis  and  lohacco,  the  only  |)lants  thv^y 
cidtivated,  was  sowed  in  some  very  pleasant  li(dds  aloni;' 
the  Mohawk  ri\('r,  hy  the  women,  who  had  no  imidenienls 
of  tilhii^e  hut  the  hoe,  and  a  kind  of  wooden  spade.  These 
fi<dfls  lay  round  their  fusfh.s^  and  while  liie  wonieii  were 
thus  emplovod,  the  men  were  catrliint'  and  drvinij,-  tish  Itv 
the  rivers  oi"  on  the  lakes.  The  yoiinu'ei'  u'irls  were  much 
Lusit'd  durin!4"  sumnu-r  and  autumn,  in  natheriu'j,'  wild  I'ruits, 
berries,  and  j^rapes,  wliieh  they  had  a  peculiar  mode  of 
drying  to  jjreserve  them  for  the  w  intei-.  The  <:;reat  cran- 
berry they  «i:athered  in  abundance,  which,  without  beintr 
drie<l,  would  last  the  whole  winti'r,  and  was  much  used  )»y 
the  settlers.  These  dried  fruits  were  no  luxui-y  ;  a  fastiili- 
ous  taste  would  entirely  reject  them.  \v\^  l)esides  furnishing 
another  article  of  food,  tliey  had  their  tise,  as  was  exident. 
Without  some  antisejttic,  they  who  lixcd  the  whole  winter 
on  animal  food,  ^yithuut  :i  single  vegetable,  or  anything  of 
the  nature  of  bread,  uidess  now  and  then  a  little  maize, 
wdiicli  they  hud  tlie  art  of  boiling  down  to  softness  in  lev 
of  \yo()d-aslies,  must  liave  l)een  liable  t(»  that  uri-at  scour^n' 
of  nortliern  nations  in  their  primitive  state,  the  scurvy,  had 
not  this  simple  dessert  been  a  })ri'servative  against  it, 
lilieumatisms,  and  sometimes  agues  afTectefl  them,  but  no 
sym|ttom  of  any  cutaneous  disease  was  ever  seen  on  an 
Indian. 

The  straggk'i's  fi-om  \\w  c()nlines  of  the  orchards  did  not 
fail   to  join  their   tribes  in   winter  ;  and    were  zealous,  and 
often    successful  in  spreading  tlu'ir  new  opinions.      Indians 
sui>i)osed  that  every  country  hail  its  own  mode  of  honoi'inf 

11  *,  «  O 

the  great  spirits,  to  -whom  all  were  e(|ually  acceptable.     This 


f  I 


Hi 


i; 


u 

■■  (1 


!>4 


MiiMoiKs  or  AN   Amhkicax  Lady. 


li;ii|,  1)11    (tiic  Imml,  the   Iciil  clVcct  ol'   iiiakiiiu'  ilicm  satisfied 

witli   t  licii"  nwii    \  an'iic  ami    uii(lcliii('(l    iKdions;  ami  on  tlic 

(ttlicr,  flic  u'ood  (tiir  of    makiiii;'  lliciii  very  lolcranl  (if  those 

of  otIuTs.      ir   you    do    not  insult  tlu'ir  hclici"  (for  mode  of 

worsliip  tlicy  liavc   scarci'   any),  tlicy  will   hear  you  talk  of 

youi's  with  the  threat  est  [)atit'U(H'  and  attention.      Their  j^ood 

InviMlin^'  in  this  ri'speet,  was  really  supei-lative.      No  Indian 

ever  interrupted   any,  the  most   idle  talkei'  :  hut  when  they 

concluded,    he    would    deliherately,    niethixru'ally,   and    not 

iin<xracefnlly  answer  or  comuu'ut  upon  all  they  had  said,  in 

a  manner  which  showeil  that  not  a  word  had  escaped  him. 

Lady  .Mary  .Montaujui'  ludici-ously  says,  that  the  court  of 

N'icnna    was  the   para<lise  of  old  women  ;  ;ind  that   there  is 

no  other  |tlace  in  theworid  wherea  woman  past  fifty  excites 

the  h'asl  interest.      Had  lu'rtra\els  extended  to  the  interior 

of  Xoi'th  America,  she  would  have  seen  another  instance  of 

this   in\i'i'si<tn  of  the  comniou   nuxle  of   thinkin;:;.      Here   a 

woman    never   was  of  consecpience,  till    she  had   a  son   old 

enouifh  to  liLfhl    the  battles  of  his  counti'y  :  fi'oni  that  <hito 

she  held  a  supei'ioi'  rank  in  society  ;   was  allowed  to  live  at 

ease,  and    vwn  called    to  consultations   on  national   affairs. 

In  saxau'e  and  warlike  countries,  the  reiy-n  of  beauty  is  very 

short,  and    its   influence   comparatively  limited.     The   girls 

in  childhood  had  a  very  pleasing  appearance  ;  but  exeei)ting 

their  liiu'  hair,  eyes  and  teeth,  every  external  grace  was  scon 

banished  by  j)eri)etual  drudgery,  carrying  burdens  too  lieavy 

to  be    borne,   ami    other   slavish    em])loyments    considered 

bi'ueath  the  dignity  of  the  men.     These  walki'd  before,  erect 

and  graceful,  decked  with  ornaments,  which  set  off  to  atlvan- 

tage  the  symmetry  of  their  well  formed  i)ersons,  -while  the 

poor  women  followed,  meanly  attii'e(l,  bent  under  the  weight 

of   the  childi'en  and  utensils  they  carried   everywhere  with 

them  ;  and  disfigured  an<l  degraded  by  ceaseless  toils.     Tliey 

were   very  early    married  ;    for  a   Mohawk   hud   lu)   other 

servant  but  his  wife  ;  anil  whenever  he  commenced  hunter, 


• 


MkMOIHS    of    A\     a. mi:  UK 'AN     I.ADV. 


!».") 


1 


it  was  r(M|uisit»'  tliiit  lie  should  ]\:\\v  some  one  to  carry  Itis 
load,  "ook  Ills  kcttk',  make  his  iiiiniicsans,  and  al»ovi'  all, 
produce  the  yoiiii!^  warriors  who  were  to  succeed  him  in  the 
honors  of  the  chase,  and  of  the  toimihawk,  \\  heiCNcr  man 
is  a  mere  hunter,  woman  is  a  niereshnc  It  is  domestic 
intei'coui'se  that  softens  man,  and  elevates  woman  ;  and  of 
that  thei'e  can  lie  little,  where  the  em|iloyments  ;nid  annise- 
inents  ai'e  not  in  common  :  tiu'  ancient  ('ale(h»nians  honored 
the  fair  ;  hut  then,  it  is  to  l»e  ol)served,  they  were  fair 
liuntressi's,  and  moved,  in  tlu'  liy'lit  of  their  Iteauty,  to  the 
hill  of  roes  ;  and  the  culinary  toils  were  entirely  left  to  the 
rout;lier  sex.  When  tlu'  younuf  warrior  al)ove  allinled  to 
made  his  ajipearance,  it  softeneil  the  cares  of  his  inothei'  ; 
who  well  knew  that  when  lie  urew  uii,  every  deticiencv  in 
tendorni'ss  to  his  wife  would  he  made  u|»  in  superalmndant 
duty  and  all'ection  to  lier.  If  it  were  |iossil»le  to  carr>"  lilial 
veneration  to  excess,  it  was  done  heri'  ;  foi'  all  other  charities 
Avore  al»sorl)ed  in  it.  1  Avonder  this  system  of  dcjtressing 
the  sex  in  their  eai'ly  years  to  exalt  tlu-m  wiien  all  their 
juvenlk'  attractions  were  tiown,  and  wlieii  mind  aloiu>  i-an 
distiuiiuish  them,  lias  not  occurred  to  (»ur  modern  refoi  i.-i-rs. 
The  >Mc)hawks  took  good  care  not  to  admit  their  women  to 
share  their  prerogatives,  till  tliey  aj^troved  themselves  good 
wives  and  luotliers. 

Tliis  digression,  long  as  it  is,  has  a  very  intimate  connection 
"with  the  character  of  my  fiiend  ;  who  eai'ly  adopted  the 
views  of  her  family,  in  regard  to  those  friendly  Indians, 
Avhich  greatly  enlarged  her  mind,  and  ever  after  influenced 
her  conduct.  She  was,  even  in  childhood,  well  accjuainted 
with  their  language,  opinions,  and  customs  ;  and,  like  evi-ry 
other  pei'son,  jtossessed  of  a  liherality  or  benevolence  of 
mind,  w  horn  chance  Inid  hrought  acquainted  with  them,  was 
exceedingly  i)artial  to  those  high-souled  and  generous 
natives.  'I'he  iMohawk  language  was  early  familiar  to 
her  ;    she  spoke  Dutch  and  English  with  e(jual    ease  and 


m 

r-'\ 
I 

M 


!)G 


iVlKMOIItS    (IF    AN    AmKRICAN    T.ADV 


purity  ;  was  ii<i  straiiLTi'i"  l<>  tlic  l"'rcii<*li  toiiifiic  ;  ami  coiilil 
(I  tliiiik)  icail  (icniian.  I  liavc  lirard  licr  speak  it. 
I''r(tiii  ilic  coiix cisatioiis  wliicli  licr  atti\i'  ciiiiosiiy  Icil 
licr  (ii  lidlil  \\\\\i  iialixc  Africans  l»r«>ii<:,Iit  iiitn  Iicr  fallicr's 
laiiiily,  slit'  was  more  iiiliiiialcly  ac(niaintt'(l  w  itii  t  lie  cu  si  (tins, 
maiiiU'rs,  aiul  ifovci'iinu'iit  <»!'  tlicir  native  eoinitry,  tiian  she 
(•(iiild  have  l»een,  l»v  readiim-  all  that  was  e\cr  written  on 
the  snlijeet.  Books  aix',  no  <|oul)t,  the  ;^ranaries  of  know- 
UmIkc  ;  l»nl  a  ililiu'eiil,  impiiriny' mind,  in  t  lie  act  i\ c  niorniny" 
oi'  life,  will  Iiild  ii  strewed  like  manna  <tver  the  lace  of  the 
earth  ;  and  iieeij  not,  in  all  easi's,  rest  salislied  witli  intelli- 
iji-nce  accnninlate(l  l»y  others,  and  tinctured  with  their 
passions  and  prejudices.  Whoever  reads  Ilonu-r  or  Sjiake- 
speare  mav  daily  discover  tiiat  thev  describe  both  nature  and 
art  from  their  own  observation.  Consequently  you  see 
the  iniaui's,  retlecte(l  tVom  the  mirror  oi"  their  u^reat  minds, 
dilVerinsjj  Irom  the  descriptions  of  others,  as  the  reflection  of 
an  object  in  all  its  colors  and  pro]>ortions  from  any  jtolislied 
surface,  does  from  a  shadow  on  a  wall,  or  fi'om  a  picture 
drawn  from  recollection.  The  enhirgcd  mind  of  my  fi'iend, 
aiul  her  simple  yet  easy  and  digniHed  manners,  made  her 
readily  adopt  herself  to  those  with  whom  she  conversed, 
and  evei-y  where  command  respect  and  kindness  :  and,  on  a 
nearer  ac(|naintance,  affection  followed  ;  but  she  had  too 
nnu'ii  sedateness  and  independence  to  adopt  those  earessintj 
and  insinuatiuL";  manners,  by  which  the  vain  and  the  artful 
so  soon  find  their  way  into  shallow  minds.  Iler  character 
did  not  captivati'  at  once,  but  gi'adually  unfolded  itself  ;  and 
you  had  alwaj^s  something  new  to  discover.  Iler  style  was 
grave  and  masculine,  without  the  least  end>eUishment  ;  and 


at  tl 


le  same  time  so  jmi'e 


that 


everything  she  said  might 


l)e  printed  without  correction,  and  so  plain,  that  the  most 
ignorant  and  most  inferi(M-  })e  'sons  were  never  at  a  loss  to 
comprehend  it.  It  possessed,  too,  a  wonderful  flexibility  ;  it 
seemed  to  rise  and  fall  with  the  subject.     I  haye  not  met 


I    • 


\9 


\\  u 


Mi;  MO  I  Its  (ti'  AN'   Am  I  :i!  KAN   Lai>y, 


97 


V( 


witli  a  style  wliicli,  to  a  iinlilc  and  imifKriii  siniiilicit y,  iiiiitcil 
sucli  variety  <•!  I'Xprt'ssioii.  W'lioever  drinks  kiinwlcdm' 
|iure  at  its  sources,  solely  from  a  ddiii'lit  in  liiiin<,Mlic'  capa- 
citics  of  a  lai;4'('  mind,  uitliont  tlie  desi.c  of  da/./.linn'  oi'  oiit- 
sliininu"  otllers  ;  whoever  sju-aks  loi-  tlie  sole  |ilir|Mtse  of 
(•oiiveyinii;  to  otiici'  minds  those  idi'as,  from  which  he  himself 
has  received  pleasure  and  advantai^e,  may  po- -ess  tiiis 
cliaste  and  natural  style  :  hut  it  isiKtt  to  l»e  ac(|uired  hy  urt 
or  stndv. 


I 


CIFAITKR  XIV. 

]\[AIUlIA(iK      Ol"     Miss      ScMlVMOli —  I  )i;s<  IM  I'lIO  V       OF     TIIK 

I''l,AlS. 


Ml 


ISSS.  liadthe  lia|)|iiness  to  ca|»tivati'  hei- cousin  rhili|»,l 
eldest  son  of  her  un(de,  who  was  ten  years  older  than  her- 
self, and  was  in  till  rixpii-ts  to  l»e  accounteil  a  suitalde,  and 


'  'I'liis  ("i)l.  I'liilip  was  the  eldest  son  of  Col.  Pieter  and  Maria  Van 
Hensselacr.boin  Jan.  1."),  UllXJ,  and  but  five  years  older  than  hisconsin, 
whom  he  married.  He  died  Feb.  \i\,  IToH,  and  liis  inonuinent  is  the 
oldest  and  most  consi)icu()us  one  in  the  family  burial  jrronnd  at  tlio 
Flats,  restinfy  liorizontally  njion  ])illars,  and  bearing;  tlu;  followiiiff 
in-scription. 

In  Memory  of 

COI/'.  PHILIP  SCHrYLKK, 

A  dentleman  wlio  was  Improved 

In  Several  i)ublick  employments 

in  which  he  Acted  with  inteffrity, 

h(!  was  sini,nilarly  hospitable, 

a  Sincere  triend,  kind  Master, 

a  most  tender  Husband  ; 

he  Liv'd  Respected  and  died  {r'-eatly  Lamented. 

Feb.  Hkh,  1758, 

Apfed  63  years. 

Madame  Schuyler  is  said  to  have  Ixmmi  buried  by  his  side,  but  there 
is  no  monument  to  mark  the  place  of  her  sepulture. —  M. 

13 


k\ 


I 


i' 


i  li 


98 


Mi:.M(tlKS    <»F    AN    AmIMUCAN     IiAI»V 


ill  tilt'  worldly  sense,  mm  ;i"lv;int:ifje<iiis  iiiMfch  tor  licr.      His 

('.'If  lier  WMs  IultIiIv  siitisHed  tn  li;i\  «•  I  lie  two  directs  mi  w  Ik  nil 

lie   liad  bestowed  su  iiiiieli  cure  iiiid  ciiltiire  united,  liilt  did 

not  live  to  see  this  li.'i|t|iy  eomieetion  take  place.      Tliey  were 

married  in  the  ye.-ir   17M',  when  she  was  in  the  einhteeiith 

year  of  her  a;^e.      When  the  <»ld  colonel   died,  he  left  con- 

sider.'ihle  |»ossessions  to  lie  di\  ideil  .'iiiioiiL!;  his  children,  .-iiid 

from  the  (jnantity  of  plate,  |i!iiiitin<is,  etc.,  which  they  shared, 

there  is  reason  to  believe  he  iiiiisl  have  Itroii^ht  some  of  his 

wealth   from   Holland,  as  in    those  days   |ico|i|e  had    little 

means  of  enrichini;  themselvi's  in  new  settli'iiients.      lie  had 

also  consiileralile  possessions  in  ;i  place  iie;ir  the  town,  now 

called    {''ishkill,  about    twenty   miles    below  Albany. '      His 

f.'imily  residence,  howevi-r,  was  at   the   Flats,  .'i   fei'tiU'  and 

beautiful   plain  on   the  banks  of  the  river.      lie  jiossessed 

about  two  miles  on  a  stretch  of  that  rich  and  level  champain. 

This  possession  was  bounded  on  the  east  by  the  river  Hudson, 

whose  lii,L,h  banks  overhung  the  st  rc-im  and  its  ]»eld)|y  strand, 

.'iiid  were  both   ;idoriied  and  defended  by  elms  (laru'er  than 

evi'r   I  lia\'e  seen  in   any  other  |»lace),  decked   w  ith   natural 

festoons  of  wild  grapes,  wliii'h  :ibound  along  the  banks  of 

this  noldi'  stream.     These  lofty  elms   were  left    when   the 

country  w;is  cli-ared  to  fortify  the  b;iiiks  against  the  masses 

of  thick  ice  which  make  war  ujionthem  in  s)»riiig,  when  the 

melting  snows  burst  this  glassy  iiaveiiu'iit,  and  raise  the 

waters  many  feet  above  their  usual  level.     This  pi'eciiution 

not  only  answers  tliat   jmrpose,  but   gratifies  the   mind   by 

presenting  to  the  eye  a   remnant  <tf  wild  magniHcence  of 

nature  .'imidst  the  smiling  scenes  pi'odueed  by  xiiried   and 

successful  cultivation.      As  you  came  along  by  the  north  end 

of  the  tt)Wn,  where  the  jtatroon  h:id  his  seat,  yt)U  afterwards 

jiassed  by  the  enclosures  of  the  citizens,  Avhere,  as  formerly 

descrilxMl,  they  planted  their  corn,  and  arrived  at  the  Flats, 


■Query,  Catskill?— 3/. 


«; 


«y 


4' 


:i 


^        I 


|l  I 


..i 


m 


f 


w^^mm 


X  pt 


«v.' 


11///,  I///,/ 


r.-t , 


{f,\(n,//.i  :^    ^ 

I'.J'.Sj/fiiiiJTn:     -: 


1'  O/,/  S,/lill//,t  //,-ll.M- 
•/;,    \ /,//•   ttrs/   ///'//. 

,  /.  /'  J.  /t  iiii/.s  //ii//iir,tt/ 

ft    ti i/l/'//l/v  '///. 

T./',',s/,ii  /,//. 


Map  or  tin:  Flats  amo' 


j'/r^  (^ 


y 


y 


r.-i 


,»     \        /-. 


i'./'.S/fiiii/fii: 


/ 


/.Icii/hiirn.  PCfi  ^ 

.s.S.Si/ihif/ii:  \  - 


\y  oniir,  Flats  ahovk  ALhAW. 


i 


3fl         11! 

V       V 


^ 


Memoirs  of  an  AMEmrAN  Lady. 


99 


Col. 
in  mI 
side 
I  line- 


Sciiylcr's  possession.'     On  the  right  yon  saw  tlie  river 

its  beanty,  thei'e  .'il)ove  ;i  mile  hroad.     On  the  opiiosite 

the  view  w.is  Itouiulefl  by  steep  hills,  eo\    red  witli  lofty 

i,  from  which  a  waterfall  descended,  '  Avhicli  not  only 

<;;ive  ;ininiatio>i  to  the 
sylvan  scene,  ])ut  was 
the  l)est  barometer  im- 
acyinable,  foiTtelling  by 
its  varied  and  intelli- 
gible sonnds  every  ap- 
I»roachiug  change,  not 
oidy  of  the  weather,  but 
of  the  Avind.  Opposite 
to  the  grounds  lay  an 
island,  above  a  mile 
in  length,  and  about  a 
quarter  in  breadth, 
which  also  belonged  to 


'  In  the  last  century,  the 
road  passed  down  in  I'ront  oi 
tlie  imtroon's  mansion,  to 
the  river,  and  followed  its 
banks  'northward  to  Still- 
water, where  the  troops  took 
bateaux.  This  ancient  road 
was  known  as  the  kinjj's 
hi<j:hway.  In  front  oF  Mad 
ame  Schuyler's  house  those 
armies  annually  passed  to 
the  theatre  of  war  on  I^ake 
("ham plain,  and  sometimes 
encamped  on  the  ground 
now  occupied  by  the  south- 
ern i)ortion  of  West  Troy. 

'^  This  waterfall,  known 
as  the  Wynant's  kil,  be- 
came, half  a  century  rjto, 
the  site  of  the  Albany  nail 
works,  whose  fires  light  the 


m 


!i 


ii  i; 


100 


MkMOIKS    (IF    AX    AMERTf'AN  LaDY. 


the  coloiic'l  :  i'\<|iiisit('ly  iK'nutil'iiI  it  was,  and  lliout^li  the 
liaiiiit  r  most  (l('lijflit('(l  ill,  it  is  not  in  my  power  to  (U'scribo 
it.  Iniau^iiK'  a  little  Kl^ypt,  yearly  overHowH'd,  and  of  the 
most  redundant  fertility.  'Pliis  cliarminu;'  spot  was  at 
tirst  eovered  with  wood,  like  tlie  rest  of  the  eountry,  except 
a  long  field  in  the  middle  where  the  Indians  had  probably 
<'ultivate(l  maize  ;  round  tliis  was  a  liroad  shelvins^  border, 
where  the  i^rey  and  the  weeping  willows,  the  bending  osier, 
and  numberless  acpiatie  plants  not  known  in  this  eountry, 
wi'fe  allowe<l  to  flourish  in  the  utmost  luxiirianec,  while 
within,  some  tall  sycamores  and  A,iid  fruit  trees  towered 
above  the  rest.  Thus  was  formed  abroad  belt,  which  in  winter 
proved  an  impenetral)le  barrier  against  the  broken  ice,  and 
in  sununer  was  the  haunt  of  numl)erless  birds  and  sin.all 
animals,  who  dwelt  in  perfect  safety,  it  bi-ing  impossible 
to  penetrate  it.  Xuinberless  were  the  ]»rodiictions  of  this 
luxuriant  s]»ot  ;  never  was  a  richer  field  for  a  botanist  ;  for 
though  the  ice  was  kept  off,  the  turbid  waters  of  the  spring 
flood  overflowed  it  annually,  and  not  only  de]tosited  a  rich 
sediment,  but  left  the  seeds  of  various  ])laiits  swept  from 
the  shores  it  had  ])assed  by.  The  (centre  of  the  island,  Avhich 
was  much  higher  than  the  sidi's,  ])ro(luce(l,  with  a  slight 
degree  of  culture,  the  most  abundant  crojis  of  wheat,  hay, 
and  flax.  At  the  end  of  this  island,  which  was  exactly 
opposite  to  tiie  family  mansion,  a  long  sand-bank  extended  : 
on  this  was  a  very  valuable  fishing-place,  of  which  a  con- 
siderable ])rofit  might  be  made.  In  summer,  Avhen  the  water 
was  low,  this  narrow  stri[»e  (for  such  it  was)  came  in  sight, 
and  furnished  an  amusing  spectacle  ;  for  there  the  bald  or 
white-headed  eagle  (a  large  ])ictures(pie  bird,  very  fre(pient 
in  this  country),  the  ospray,  the  heron,  and  the  curlew,  used 


skies  by  nijrht,  and  send  np  pillars  of  sinokt^  by  day.  The  island  has  ac- 
quired a  considerable  altitude  since  the  time  of  Mrs.  Grant's  residence 
there,  and  is  otherwise  chanired,  being  in  fact  two  islands,  a  narrow 
creek  running  between  tliem. 


If- 

1 


?^ 


f 


Memoirs  of  a\  Amkrkwn  Lady. 


101 


to  stand  in  sj^rcat  luiinbcrs  in  a  loni;-  I'ow,  like  a  military 
arraiiijji'nu'nt,  t'oi'  a  wlioU-  sninincr  day,  lisliiiin'  for  |K'rcli  and 
a  kind  ot'  tVi'sli-watcr  licrrinLi'  which  ahunndctl  fhci-c.  At 
ihc  same  season  a  variety  of  wihl  (hicks,  wlio  bred  on  tlic 
shores  ol"  the  island  (anioiiLj  which  was  a  small  white  diver 
of  an  ele<;-ant  form),  led  forth  tlu'ir  youny'  to  try  their  first 
excnrsion.  Wliat  a  scene  have  I  beheld  on  a  calm  snmmer 
eveniny- !  There  indeed  were  "  frinyiMl  I»anks'''  richly 
frinii'cMJ,  and  wonderfnlly  varieujated  ;  when'  every  imagin- 
able shaile  ol'  i-olor  mingled,  and  where  life  teemed  pi-olitic 
on  every  si(U'.  The  rivei',  a  jierfect  mirror,  reflect  iiiiX  the 
|>ine-covere(l  hills  opposite  ;  and  the  pliant  sliadi'sthat  I»en<l 
withont  a  wind,  i-ound  this  enchantino-  island,  while  hnnd- 
ri'ds  of  the  while  divers,  saw-bill  dncks  with  scarlet  heads, 
teal,  and  otlu'i-  a<piatic  binls,  sported  at  once  on  the  calm 
waters.  At  the  disi-harye  of  a  n'nn  from  the  shore,  these 
feathered  beanties  all  disa])peared  at  once,  as  if  by  niai^ic, 
and  in  an  instant  rose  to  view  in  different  places. 

Ilow'  mnch  they  seemed  to  enjoy  that  life  which  Avas  so 
new  to  them  ;  for  they  were  the  yonnti;  broods  first  h'll 
forth  to  sport  n])on  the  waters.  While  the  fixed  attitude 
and  lofty  j»oi't  of  the  lai\!i;e  birds  of  prey,  who  were  i'an<4"ed 
ui»on  tlu'  sandy  shelf,  forme(l  ;in  inverte<l  i)icture  in  the 
same  clear  mirroi",  and  weri'  a  pleasing  contrast  to  tlie 
])layfid  multitude  around.  These  tliey  nevei-  atti'inpted  to 
disturb,  well  aware  of  tlie  facility  of  escape  whicli  their  old 
retreats  aiforded  tliem.  Such  of  my  readers  as  have  Inid 
patience  to  follow  me  to  this  fa\(irite  isle,  will  be,  ere  now, 
as   mucli    bewihfered  as    I    have  often    been  mvself  on   its 


luxuriant  shore 


To  return  to  tlie  southward,  on  the  con- 


fines of  what  mio-ht  then  becalle<l  an  intei-minable  wild,  rose 
two  gently  slo])ing  eminences,  about  half  a  mile  from  tlie 
From  I'aeli  of  these  a  large  brook  descende<l,  bending 


snore. 


tlirongh  the  ])lain,  and   having  their  course  marked  liy  the 
shades  of  })rimeval  trees  and  shrubs  left  there  to  shelter 


■f 


102 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


I  ( 


till'  ciittli'  wlicn  tlic  j]frn)iii(l  was  cIc.'iihmI.  On  tlicsc  I'liii- 
iiciiccs,  in  till'  near  lU'iLrliborliood  and  full  vii'W  of  tlio 
mansion  at  tlir  I'Mats,  wi'i'i'  two  lariji'  and  wi'll  built  dwell- 
ings, inliahilrd  l»y  Coloni'l  Sclniylcr's  two  youuLCor  sons, 
I'l'tiT  and  Jcri'niiali.  To  ilir  I'ldosl  was  allotted  the  place 
inhabited  by  his  father,  whieh,  from  its  lower  situation  and 
level  snrfaei ,  was  called  the  Flats.  Theiv  was  a  custom 
prevalent  amoni;  the  new  settlers  somethini:;  like  that  of 
gavellvind  ;  they  made  a  jtretty  e(|Ual  division  of  lar.ds 
amouL?  their  younger  sons.  The  eldest,  by  preeminence  of 
birth,  had  a  lar<iei'  share,  and  generally  succeeded  to  the 
domain  inhabited  by  his  father,  with  the  slaves,  cattle,  and 
effects  u)M)n  it. 

This,  in  the  present  instance,  was  t  he  lot  of  the  eldest  son 
of  that  family  whose  ])ossessions  I  have  been  describing. 
Ills  portion  of  land  on  the  shoi-e  of  the  ri\er  was  scarcely 
equal  in  value  to  those  of  his  brother,  to  whose  ])ossessions 
the  bi'ooks  I  have  mentione<l  formed  a  natni'al  boundary, 
dividing  them  from  each  other,  and  from  his.  To  him  was 
allotted  the  costly  furnitui'e  of  the  family,  of  which  paintings, 
plate,  a]id  china  constituted  the  valuable  pai't  ;  everything 
else  being  merely  plain  and  useful.  They  had  also,  a  large 
house  in  Albany,  which  they  occuj)ied  occasionally. 

r  have  neglected  to  describe  in  its  right  place  the  termina- 
tion or  back  ground  of  the  landscape  I  have  such  delight 
in  recollecting.  Thei-e  the  solemn  and  interminable  forest 
was  vai'ietl  here  and  there  by  i-ising  grounds,  near  streams 
where  birch  an<l  hickoi-y,  ma|»le  and  poplar,  cheered  the  eye 
with  a  lightei-  given,  thi-ough  the  jtrevailing  shade  of  dusky 
pines.  On  the  border  of  tiie  wood,  where  the  trees  had 
been  thimied  for  tiring,  Avas  a  broa<l  shrubbery  all  aloiif. 
which  marked  the  edges  of  the  wood  above  the  possessions 
of  the  brothers  as  far  as  it  extended. 

This  was  formed  of  sumac,  a  shrub  with  leaves  continually 
changing  color  through  all  the  varieties  from  blending  green 


»*» 


«^- 


f 


) 


Memoirs  uf  an  Amkhican  Lady. 


108 


J. 


and  yellow  to  oraiii^e  tiiwiicy,  n\u\  .'idnnicd  with  l:ir<;H'  lilac- 
sli!i))('(l  clustcrsof  brisxlit  sciirU't  mi'aiiis,  covcihmI  witli  ]»iiiiLr('tit 
(hist  of  a  sharp  f1a\()r,  at  once  saliiu'  and  acid.  This  tlic 
Indians  nscd  as  sah  to  their  food,  and  lor  tlic  dycinir  of" 
ditfc'i'cnf  (•oh)rs.  The  red  ijhtw,  whicli  was  tiie  general 
result  of  this  natural  border,  Innl  a  tiiu-  effect,  thrown  (»ut 
from  the  dusky  shades  which  towered  hehind. 

To  the  northward,  a  sandy  tract,  covered  with  low  ]iines, 
formed  a  l)oui;dary  betwixt  the  Flats  and  Stonehook,'  which 
lay  further  up  the  river. 


' 


*■■; 

V. 


CIIAl'TKll  XV. 

Pllir.Il'  SCIIUYLKII Ills   .MANA(iE.ME\T  OF  THE   INDIANS. 


»*♦ 


m. 


_L  IIILIP  Schuyler,  who  on  the  de;ith  of  his  father,  suc- 
ceeded to  the  inlieritance  1  have  been  describinii",  was  a 
person  of  a  mild,  benevolent  ehar.'U-tei',  and  an  excellent 
understanding,  whi(;h  iiad  received  more  culture  than  was 
usual  in  th:'.t  country.  l>ut  whether  he  ha<l  returned  to 
Europe,  for  the  ])Ui"pose  of  ac([uirinL>-  knowledge  in  the 
])ublic  seminaries  there,  or  had  been  instructe<l  by  any  of 
the  French  protestants,  who  were  sonu'tinu's  i-etained  in  the 
princi[)al  families  for  such  j>ur))oses,  I  do  not  exat'tly  know  ; 
but  am  led  rather  to  su]>pose  the  latter,  from  the  connection 
which  always  subsisted  l)etween  that  class  of  people  and 
the  Schuyler  family. 

When  the  intimacy  between  this  gentleman  and  the  sub- 
ject of  these  memoirs  took  place  she  was  a  mere  child  ;  for 
the  colonel,  as  he  was  soon  after  called,  was  ten  yeai's  older 
than  she.     This  Avas  singular  there,  where  most  men  rinu-ried 


'  Steenlioek  waa  in  fmnt  of  th(3  pint  now  occupied  by  the  Arsenal, 
and  tlie  Steenlioek  kil  is  still  seen  issuinof  from  the  government 
prrounds,  draining  the  swamp  in  tlie  rear. —  M 


ni 


104 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady, 


under  twenty.  Hut  liis  earlv  years  Ayere  occuiiied  l»v 
nionu'ntons  coneei-ns  ;  (or,  l»y  this  time,  tlie  |Mil»iie  safety 
bej^an  to  l>e  en(lan<jfere<l  l»y  tlie  insidious  wiles  of  tlie  I''reneli 
Canadians,  to  whom  our  I'rontii'r  settU'i's  heoan  to  Ite  for- 
niidahU'  i-i\als  in  the  I'ur  tra<K',  whicli  the  former  wisiu'd  to 
engross.  In  proeess  (»f  time,  tlie  hidians,  criminally  indult^ed 
with  strouLj  rK|Uors  hy  the  nuist  ayarieious  and  un]trinei)»led 
of  the  traders,  heujan  to  haye  an  insatia'ole  desire  for  tlieni, 
and  the  traders'  ayidity  for  gain  increased  in  the  sanu' 
projiortion. 

Occasional  fraud  on  the  one  liand  craye  rise  to  occasional 
yiolence  on  the  other.  ^Mutual  confidence  decayed,  and 
hostility  betrayeil  itself,  Ayjien  intoxication  laid  open  eyery 
thought.  Some  of  our  ti'aders  were,  as  the  colonists  allege<l, 
treacherously  kille(l  in  yiolation  of  treaties  solenudy  con- 
cluded between  them  and  the  offending  trihi's. 

The  mediation  and  ]»rotection  of  tlu'  Mohawk  tribes  were 
as  usual  a]»pt'aled  to.  jbit  these  shrewd  politicians  saw 
eyidently  the  yalue  of  their  protection  to  an  unwarlike  peo- 
jtle,  who  made  no  effort  to  defentl  themsehes  ;  and  who, 
distant  fi'oni  the  source  of  authority,  and  contributing  nothing 
to  the  suppoi't  of  goyernnu'nt,  wert'  in  a  great  measure' neg- 
lected. They  began  also  to  obserye,  that  their  new  friends 
were  e\teu<ling  their  jiossessions  on  eyery  side,  and  conscious 
of  their  Ayealth  and  increasing  nundiers,  did  not  assiduously 
cultiyate  the  good  will  of  their  faithful  allies  as  formerly. 
These  nations,  sayage  as  we  may  imagine  them,  were  as 
well  skilled  in  the  arts  of  negotiation  i'.s  the  most  ])olite 
Europeans.  They  waged  pei'i)etual  war  with  each  other 
about  their  huutiuu'  grounds  :  each  tribe  laying  claim  to 
some  yast  wild  territory  destined  for  that  purjtose,  and 
diyided  from  other  districts  by  boumlaries  which  weshoidd 
consider  as  nuMely  ideal,  but  Ayhicli  they  perfectly  under- 
stood. Yet  these  were  not  so  distinctly  defined  as  to  })reclude 
all  dispute  ;  and  a  casual  encroachment  on  this  iuuiginary 


* 


-k- 


4, 


II 


I 


* 


MkMOTUS    of    an    AmKKICAX    Ti.iDY, 


10") 


(leer  |t:irk,  was  a  siiH'u'ii-iit  <_ji'(>iiii(l  ol'  hostility  ;  ami  this, 
not  for  the  vahu'  of  thi'  few  Wt'cr  or  hilars  which  miiilit  ln' 
kilh'd,  hut  tliat  they  tliouLcht  thi'ir  national  h(»nor  violatcil 
hv  such  an  auiircssion.  That  system  of  ri-vcnuc,  wliich 
suhsisti'd  with  ('(|Ual  lorce  among  them  all,  admittcMl  of  no 
sinca'fi"  ('(Miciliat ion  till  the  agurievi'd  party  had  ohtained  at 
least  an  e»|ual  nnnd)i'r  of  st-aljis  and  prisoners  for  those  that 
they  hatl  lost,  'i'liis  hhtody  reekoning  was  not  easily  ad- 
justed. After  a  short  and  hollow  truce,  thi'  remaining 
halanci'  on  either  side  ail'oi'deil  a  pretext  foi-  new  hostility, 
and  tin  to  solicit  new  alliance's  ;  for  which  last  pur|»ose 
much  art  and  nuich  ]iei'suasive  power  of  ehxpience  were 
enijiloyed. 

I>ut  the  grand  mystery  of  Indian  politics  was  the  flattery, 
tile  stratagem,  and   address   employed    in  detaching   otliei* 
trihes  from  the  alliance  of  their  eni'mies.     'i'heiv  c()uld   not. 
he  a  stronger  proof  of  the  restli'ss  and  turhulent    natuiv  of 
and»ition  than  these  artful  negotiations,  the  conscMpience  of 
perpetual  hostility,  where  one  woidd  think  there  was  so  little 
gr(tund  for  (pnirri'l  ;  and  that   amongst  a  peo})lo  who  indi- 
vidually, were  hy  no  means  (|uari'elsome  oi"  covetous,   and 
seemed  in  their  jtrivate   transactions   with   each   other,  im- 
j)ressed  with  adeej)  siMiseof  moral  rectitude  ;  who  reasonecl 
soundly,   leilected  deeply,  and    acted  in  most    cases  conse- 
quentially.    Pro]»erty  there    was  none,  to  afford  a   pretext 
for  war,  exce]>ting  a  little  possessed  by  the  Mohawks,  which 
they   knew   so  well    how  to   defend,  that   their   boun<laries 
were  never  violated  ;  "  For   their  awe    and  their   fear   was 
upon  all  the  nations  round  about."     Territory  could  not  bo 
the  genuine  subject  of  contention  in  these   thinly  peopled 
forests,  where  the  ocean  and  the  ])ole   wi-re  the  only  limits 
of    their   otherwise    boundless   domain.     The    conseipience 
attached  to  the  authority  of  chiefs,  who,  as  such,  possessed 
no  more  pi'operty  than  others,  and  had  not  power  to  com- 
mand a  single  vasssd  for  their  own  jtersonal  benetit,  was  not 

U 


■0%:^ 


iW 


II' 


106 


Mkmuius  of  an  Ameur'an  Lady. 


Niu'li  as  to  hv  till'  object  (»l"  those  wars.  Tlu'lr  i-hii'T  privilcjj;!' 
was  that  of  hi'injj;  first  in  every  thiiiLjeroMs  enterprise.  They 
Well"  h)\e<l  and  honored,  ImiI  ni'Vi'r,  that  I  have  heard  of, 
tra(hieed,  envied,  or  removed  from  llieir  painfnl  preemi- 
lienee. 

The  only  way  in  whieh  these  wars  can  be  aeconnted  for, 
is,  first,  from  tlK'ujeneral  <le|)ravi(y  of  oni'  nature,  and  fiom 
a  siiii^ularly  dei'p  feeiini;'  of  injiii-y,  and  a  hiyh  sense  of 
national  honor.  They  wcri-  not  the  hasty  ontbi-eakinifs  of 
savage  fury,  but  were  eomnienced  in  the  most  solemn  and 
deliberate  manner  ;  and  not  without  a  pndude  of  remon- 
strances, from  the  an\nrieved  party,  an<l  attempts  to  sootlie 
and  conciliate  from  the  othei'.  This  digression  must  not 
be  considered  as  altogether  fi-om  the  purpose.  To  ivturn 
to  the  Indians,  whose  historv  has  its  use  in  illustrating  that 
of  mankind  :  thev  now  became  fully  sensible  of  the  import- 
ance  they  derived  frt)m  the  incri-ased  wealth  and  unde- 
fended state  of  the  settlement.  They  discovered  too,  that 
they  held  the  balance  between  the  inti'rior  settlements  of 
France  and  England,  which,  though  still  distant  from  t'ach 
other,  were  daily  ajtproximating. 

The  ^lohawks,  though  always  brave  and  always  faithful, 
felt  a  very  allowable  repugnance  to  expose  the  lives  of  their 
warriors  in  defence  of  those  who  made  no  eii'ort  to  defend 
themselves  ;  who  were  neither  protect e<l  by  the  arms  of 
their  sovereign,  nor  V)y  their  own  courage.  They  came 
down  to  hold  a  solemn  congress,  at  which  the  heads  of  the 
Schuyler  and  Cuylei-  families  assisted  ;  and  where  it  was 
agreed  that  hostilities  should  be  delayed  for  the  i)resent, 
the  hostile  nations  j>aeitied  by  concessions  and  presents, 
and  means  adopted  to  put  the  settlement  in  a  state  of  de- 
fence against  future  aggressions. 

On  all  such  occasions,  when  previously  satisfied  with 
regard  to  the  justice  of  the  grounds  of  quarrel,  the  Mohawks 
promised    their   hearty  cooperation.     This    they  were   the 


4' 


% 


.fn 


M KM 01  us    OK    AN    AmKHK'AN    LaI»Y. 


107 


readier  lo  iln,  as  (licir  ynmiif  l»r<»llief  IMiili|i  (lor  so  tliey 
styled  C'(doiiel  Sclmylei')  olTered  not  only  ti>  licad  micIi  t  loops 
as  miiflit  he  I'aised  for  this  iMirposc,  hut  to  eiiija;::*'  liis  t\vt» 
l>ro(hers,  wlio  were  well  a(i|iiaiiited  with  tin-  whoh- frontier 
teiritory,  to  serve  on  the  same  terms.  This  was  a  sin<;nlar 
instance  <»!"  |»uhlie  s|tirit  in  a  yonnu:  patriot,  who  was  an 
entire  stranger  to  the  |»rol'ession  of  arms  ;  and  whose  sedate 
(M|uaniniity  of  eharaetei*  was  advei'si-  to  every  sjx'cies  of 
rashness  or  enthusiasm.  Meantime  the  provisions  of  the 
ahoveiiientioiKMl  treaty  eould  not  he  carried  into  eireet,  till 
tliey  were  ratiiied  hy  the  assemhiy  at  Xew  \'(»rk,  and  ap- 
proveil  hy  the  ujovernor.  Of  this  there  was  little  douht  ; 
the  dillieulty  was  to  raise  an<l  pay  the  troops.  In  the 
interim,  while  stips  were  taUinsj;  to  lei^ali/e  the  project,  in 
171!),  the  inarriai^e  hetwixt  Colonel  Schuyler  and  his  cousin 
took  ])lace  under  the  happiest  aus|)ices. 


CIIAFTKIJ  XVI. 

A('(  orxT  OK  rriK  Tiiuiok  Ukotiiers. 

VjOTjONKL  Seliuyler  and  his  two  hrothors  all  possessed 
a  superior  detxree  of  intellect,  and  uncommon  external 
advantages.  Peter,  the  only  one  remaining  when  I  knew 
the  family,  was  still  a  comely  and  dignified  looking  old 
gentleman  ;  and  \  was  told  his  brothers  were  at  least  equal 
to  him  in  this  respect.     His  youngest  brother  Jeremiah," 

'  Theao  woro  twin  brothers,  born  12  January,  1698,  the  younjsest  of 
tho  chihlnsn  of  Col.  Piotcr,  whom  th«  Indians  named  Quidder.  Pieter 
jani(n'  married,  first,  4  November,  1742,  Catharine  Groesbtck.  and 
second,  Geertruy  Schuyler.  Jeremias married  Susanna  [Muet?].  Two. 
Schuylers  of  the  names  of  Pieter  and  Jeremias  were  buried  at  the 
Flats  in  1750,  but  are  supposed  to  have  been  of  a  later  generation  than 
the  above.  Tliere  are  no  monuments  to  the  graves  of  either  of  them. 
The  absence  of  head  stones  has  been  attributed  to  the  difficulty  of 
procuring  them. —  M. 


P 


!|) 


.11 


1 


108 


MiiMuiits  UK  AN    Amkhican    Lamv. 


!  -^ 


w  III)  w.'is  iiMii'li  Im'Ii>\  I'll  lor  :i  i|iN|H)silioii,  I'l-Miik,  rlini  fiil  mill 
j;»'iu'n:iis  III  CMOS,  liMil  |'i(\  iiHisIy  iii.inif'l  ;i  Imly  rii>m 
New  ^  i>il\  ;  \\\\\\  wlii'iii  lie  itli|;iiii(il  snim.  IkiI iiiit' :  ;illiinu 
tlicii  >iiiuiil.-ir  ill  llial  i'iiiiiilr\.  'I'liis  l.niy,  wlmiii,  in  licr 
ili'iliiiiiin'  yr;irs,  I  Uiicw  NtTV  well,  w  ;is  lln'  il.iiinlilcr  ul  ;i 
wcmIiIiv  .iiiil  ilisliimuislicil  I'Miiiily  I'f  I'lcinli  |iiii(c,s|iiiils. 
Slic  wMs  li\rlv,  st'iisil»l«',  ;iiiil  Will  inrnniiril. 

I'llir,  llir  Miniid,  w  MS  m;init'il  li>  :i  ii;ili\t'  nl  AHmiiiv. 
Silt'  ilii'ii  ciirly  ;  ImiI  IcI'I  Itcliiiiil  I  w  u  cliililiin  ;  :iiiil  llir  ir|iii 
iMliiiiitil'  miii'li  Wdilli  :in<l  ii'ic.'il  ;illt'iil  ion  Id  lur  fnn  jiim;iI 
;iiiil  iii.'ilcnini  iliilirs.  All  llirsr  rrhilioiis  jixcil  willi  nicli 
olIuT,  ;iiii|  willi  ill!'  iit'W  iiinnicd  l;iil\,  in  iiiiliils  uf  ||n'  nmsl 
rorili.il  iiHiniMi'y  ;iiiil  iicilccl  (  oiiliilriHi'.  'riicy  M-ctncil, 
imlccil,  iicliinlcil  liy  niic  spiril  ;  li;i\iiiu,'  in  .-ill  lliinu's  similar 
views  ami  similar  |irim'i|il('s.  Lonkintj  up  In  llic  cnloncl  as 
the  lu-atl  of  llm  family,  wlinsc  woilli  ami  anincncc  rcflcclcil 
('(>iis»M|m'iiiH'  ii|p(in  llicm  all,  llicy  never  ilreami  ol'  »'ii\yiiiLj 
eillier  liis  sii|trrii)r  manners,  nr  liis  wife's  allaiiimeiils,  wliieli 
llu'_\    Idnkt'il  ii|iiin  as  a    Iteiielil  ami  ornamenl   In  llie  wlmle. 

Sunn  after  llieir  marriau'e  they  \isile(l  New  ^  nrk,  xvliirli 
(hey  i'liiilinncil  In  iln  mice  a  year  in  the  earlier  |(erinil  nf 
(heir  inafriaLT*',  nii  aci'mml  i>\'  their  cnmicclinii  in  thai  city, 
ami  the  |>leasiny"  ami  inlelli<i:eiil  snciely  thai  was  always  In 
W  met  with  llicrc,  Itnth  mi  accmmt  of  ils  lu'iiii:;  the  seal  i>\' 
jjnvenimeiit,  ami  the  resilience  i^\'  the  cmnmamler-iii-chief 
(111  the  «'mitiiieiil,  whn  was  then  m-ccssaiily  iini'sled  with 
cmisiilerahle  power  ami  |iri\  ilcu'cs,  ami  had,  as  well  as  the 
jjo\i'rnnr  for  the  time  lieinii',  a  ju'tty  cmirl  assemhled  rniiml 
liim.  At  a  \i'ry  early  |>erind  a  heller  style  i)\'  manners, 
greater  ease,  frankni'ss,  and  jinlish  |)re\  ailed  at  New  N'nrk, 
than  in  any  iA'  the  m'i«::hl»nrini;  ]»rn\  inci's.  There  was,  in 
|>artii'iilar,  a  HriLjadiei-jj^iMieral  llnnter, '  of  whom  I  have 
licanl   Mrs.  Schuyler  talk  a   ureal    deal,  as  coincitliiii;  with 


'  Robert  Hunter  succcodi'd  Lovelace  ns  jfoveriior  of  New  York  in 
1709,  and  was  jjovernor  of  Janiaica,  in  1728. — M. 


r 


NfiiMiiius  or  AN   .\mi;ui(AN   Ii\nv. 


10!) 


V 


I. 


lief  liiisli;iii(|  siir('('ssi\  civ,  in  tlM'ir  |<l:iiis  til  lur  m|'  i|i  rrnci'  ui' 
iiM|)n>\  I'liniil,     llr,  I  lliiiik,  \N  ;i>  tlini  t(i>v<'i  ii<>r  ;   ;iii<l  \\:i>  iis 
ii<'('f|i|;ili|i'    III   llir   Sflmylcrs  I'lir   |ii>   ('ii||iii|ni:il    t:ilt'iits  aiitl 
IihimHv  ili««|)n>iiiun,   an  cslitiialtlf  I'ltr  his   |iiililir   s|iiiil   iiikI 
:i|i|»licarniii  in  liusiinss,  in  wliifli  i'cs|»t'rl.s  lie  was  n.ii  ri|iiallt'i| 
liy  .'iii\  of  his  siicccssors.     In  lii>  rinlc  I  lie  \  uiimlj  cuiiiilf  w nr 
iniirli  ilisi  iiiu'iiislicd.      'riicif  wnr  luo  aimiiiir  lliusi'  Itailiiin 
lainilics,  llic  l/i\  illusions  ami  IJciisflacrs,  Iricinls  (•(nincctril 
will)  llictii  Ixiili  hy  liliMiil  ami  at  lacliim'iil .     'riMic  was  alsn 
aiini  Imt  ilistiii^iiislicil  t'ainily  Inwlioiii  tiny  wrrr  alliril,  ainl 
w  illi  w  I II  III  I  1 1  icy  li\  cil  iiM'iinlial  intiiiiai'y  ;   I  licsc  w  cic  I  lir  I  )c 
l.aiircys,  n\'    I'lTiicli    ilt'sciiil,  liiil,  liy  siili><i|iiri)|    iiili  rinaf 
rint^'cs,  lilcmli'd  with  ihr  I  >iilcli  iiihal>ilaiils.      4)1' t  hot'  iImii' 
Wfic  Vfiy  many  ihfii  in  Niw    ^'llr•I\,  as  will  lif  hcnarttr  ex- 
pliiihctj  ;  I  tilt  as  t  ht'.s(>  ciinsiitnl  imis  cxilt's  wt'i't'  imi'mmis  allit'il 
in  rcliyiiin  t<>  tin-  |n'iiniti\  f  sttt  It  is,  ami  rc^fiilar  ami  imhistii 
Diis  in  their  ha  hits,  they  stiDii  niin^h'fl  with  ami  I  mm -aim'  a  part 
of    that    stificty,    whifh    was  (■iilivt'iictl    liy    tln-ir   sjninhtlv 
manners,  ami  heiiernieil  l»y  the  use fn I  arts  they  hritn^ht  ahniif 
with  them.     In  this  inixeil  soeiety,  wliieli  must  have  hatj  at- 
Irax'fion  iKr  yuniiif  |ieii|ilc  i)\'  Mi|ifri(ir,  ami,  in  snnie  dt  i^ree, 
eiilti\alei|     inlelleet,    this    wejl-inaleheil     pair    Innk      ^reat 
|»le;ism-e  ;  ami  here,  nt»  iltiiiht,  was  ini|iriivei|  t  hat  liherality  ol' 
inimi  ami  manners  which  so  inm-li  ilistiiiL^iiishetl  them  iVum 
the  less  enliLjhtenetl  inhabit  ants  nf  their  native  eity.      They 
were   st»  inneh    caresseil    in   New   ^  tirk,   ami  t'luiml    sn  manv 
charms  in  the  intellii;"en(  ami  comparativ fly  ptdisheil  sncietv 
t»i'  which  they  inaile  a  pMi't  there,  that  they  lia<l  ;it  Hist  some 
tht)Uj^hts   of    resiilin^    there.      These,   lM)wever,   so<»n    yave 
wjiy  (otlie  persuasions  of  the  ct<lonel,  with  wlicin  they  prin- 
cipally resith-tl   till   his  (h'.ith,  wliich   liappeiieil    I7-'I,'    two 
years  ai'ter.     This  nnion  was  |>roilnctive  of  all  that  i'elicity 


'  He  stM'ins  to  have  been  buried  23  Sept.,  1721.    See  Peiirson's  Karli/ 
Settlern  of  Albany, —  M. 


til 


till 


m 


Mi 


it 


110 


NLkmoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


wliicii  miuflit  l>e  ox|)0('to(l  lo  rcsiiU  from  t'litirc  ooiitji'ninlity 
not  ol"  st'iitiiiu'iit  only  l>nt  ot"  oriu'mal  <lis]to:-iitions,  attacli- 
nu'Mts,  and  modes  of  livimn'  ami  thinking.  He  liad  Ix-i'ii 
accnstonu'd  to  consider  her  as  a  cliild  with  tender  I'ndear- 
nu'nt.  She  had  been  used  to  look  up  to  him  from  infaney 
as  (he  model  of  manly  exeellenee  ;  and  they  drew  knowledge 
and  virtue  from  tlu'  same  fountain,  in  the  mind  of  that 
respectable  [)ar(.'nt  whom  they  I'lpially  loved  and  revered. 


ClIArTKR  XVII. 

Tllk   IIoiSK    AM)   HlKAl,     KiO.VOMY   OK    TIIK   Fl.ATS —  lilUDS 

AM)  IxsKcrs. 

X  llAVK  alrc.idy  sketched  a  general  outline  of  that  pleasant 
home  to  which  tin'  i-olomd  was  now  about  to  bring  his  l)c- 
loveil. 

l>efore  T  i-esume  my  narrative,  I  shall  indulge  myself  in  a 
still  moi-i'  minute  account  of  the  juvmises,  the  mode  of  liv- 
ing, (■;•.,  whii-h  will  all'ord  a  more  disti'iet,  idea  of  the 
country  ;  all  tlu'  wealthy  and  informed  j)eoi>lo  of  the  settle- 
ment living  on  a  smaller  scale,  pivtty  nnieh  in  the  same 
manner.  !>(■  it  known,  however,  that  the  house  I  had  so 
much  delight  in  recollecting,  had  no  pivlension  to  grandeur, 
and  verv  little  to  elegance.  It  was  a  large  brick  lionse  of 
two  or  ratluM-  three  stories  (for  there  were  excellent  attics), 
besides  a  sunk  story,  linished  with  tlu-  exactest  neatness, 
TIu'  lower  tloor  had  two  spa;'ious  rooms,  with  large  liglit 
closets;  on  the  lirst  tlu're  were  three  I'oonis,  and  in  the 
upper  one  four.  Through  the  middle  of  the  house  was  a 
very  wide  passage,  with  o])posite  front  and  back  (h)ors, 
which  in  summer  admitted  a  stream  of  air  ])eciUiarly  grate- 
ful to  the  languid  senses.  It  was  furnished  with  chairs  and 
pictures  like  a  summer  parlor.     Here  the  family  usually  sat 


IT* 


vr 


i 


I!     i: 


hflw.grinrrwTTir' 


Uimtk-m-fi  llTW'll 


•1* 


v^t 


Mkmoihs  of  an  Amkru'an  Lai>y. 


Ill 


in  hot  wcnthiT,  wlu'ii  tliciv  v cri-  no  "I'lcnKiiiious  straiiiicrs. 

\  iilu;il»li'  t'liniituiv  (thougli  jtcrluqis  not  \ciy  well  clioscn 
or    Mssorti'tl)    was    the    tavofili'    hi.xuiy    of   tlu'si-    iPcopK'  ; 
and    in    all    llu'    honsi's   I   riMiii'inlxT,    I'xccjit    those  of  the 
hrotlu'i's,  who  wc'ie  cvi'iy  way  more  liheial,  tlie  minois,  tlie 
]»aintinus,  the  ehina,  hnt  ahovi'  all,  the  state  hed,  wi-re  coi 
sidered    as  tlie    t'ainily  /era])]ii>n,   seei-e'.ly   w(Hslii|ied,  and 
onl}'  exldbited  on  very  rare  oeeasions.      Ihit  in  Col.  Sehny- 
h'f's  family    the    rooms  were    nu-rely   sluit    n|>  to   keeji   tlie 
tlies,  which  in  tliat  country  are  an  absolute  nuisance,   I'roiii 
spoiling   the   furnitnre.'      Anotlier   motive   was,   that    tliey 
might  he  jiloasantly  cool  wlu'ii  opened  l"oi-  com])any.     This 
house  liad  also  two  appendages  common  to  all  those  lu'loiig- 
ing  to   persons   in   easy    circumstances    there.      One   was   a 
large  poi'Mco  at  the  door,  with  a  few  ste]>s  leading  nji  to  it, 
and  Hoored   like    a   room  ;   it    was  ojteii    at    the    sides,   and 
liad  seats   a^l  roun<l.      Above   was  i-itlu-r   a   sliglit    \\()oden 
roof,  jiaintod  like  an  awning,  or  a  covering  oi'  lattict'-work, 
over  which  a  transplanti'd   viiii'  spread   its  luxuriant    leaxes 
and  numerous  clusters.     These,    thougli  small,  and   ratlier 
tot)  acid  till  sweetem>il  by  the  frost,  liad  a  beautiful  apjiear- 
ance.      Wliat    gave  an  air  of   lil)ertv    and    safetv    to    tliese 
rustic  porticoes,  which  always  produced  in  my  mind  a  sensa- 
tion of  pleasure   tliat  I    know    not  liow    to  deiiiie,    was   the 
nund)er  of  little  bii'ds   domesticated    tliere.      For   tlicir  ac- 
commodation  theu'    was   a  small   shelf   built  round,  tliere 
tliey  nestled,  sacred  from  the  t(»uch  of  slaves  and  childri'n, 
who  were  tauglit  to  regard  them    as  the  goo<l    genii  of  the 
place,  not  to  be  disturbed  with  impunity. 

Ido  not  recollect  sparrows  tliere,"' except  the  wood-sparrow. 


'Tlicy  still  preserve  at  the  house  of  Mr.  John  C.  Scliuyier,  some  of 
the  tiirnitm-e  ot'Mivdiun  Schuy'cr. — M. 

'' Eiifjlish  sjiiirrows,  as  tliey  arc  cvmnnoiily  called,  wore  introduced 
into  Albany  about  the  year  IHO"),  where  tliey  were  tenderly  cherished 
and  fed,  as  the  enemy  of  worms  that  intested  shade  trecH  in   unusual 


spj 


fii:: 


WJ,  MisM.MHs  Ml'  AN    AMi;inr\N    Lahv 


'I'l 


H'SIC 


llltl 


luiil'J     well'    II 


I     \  HI  ii>ii^    Iv  iihIm    prciil 


i;ir    II*    IlK 


III 


inlr\    ;    lull     llii'    Kill'    iiikmI     ll('i|ii('nl    mihI    l:iiiiiii;ir    w  ;ri    ;i 


t     ;i   liiH'lil 


cllinilllli'll     I'cili'l  ,   r;illri|   ;| 


|ir('(l  \  iill  Ir  I  ii'Ml  lilt'.  i>t  ;i 
W  leu.  lliiMM'li  lillli'  ir  .t'liiltluir.  I  ln'  iHH'  )i>  wliiili  \\i'  i\\\r 
lliMl  ii.inii'.  li'T  It  !••  inoii'  ^|>i  ir.lil  l\  .  Mini  llirs  liij'.lK'r.  <H 
llicM'  Mini  Ktliri  miimII  Imi.I-.  Iiiimlirihi  !',m\i'  Mini  inrni'il 
|in>lri  ( loii  iiioiiu'l  llir-  liii  .|iil  mIiIi'  ilw  clliii!',.      Tin'  |ii  nln  I  H'li 


tl 


\^'\     liii'Mi'il    iMIIM'.li'il    inrli'lv     III    llir    |ill\l 


I •!     i 


ii'in;'   Id 


Miolli' 


riiMl    w  liii'li   I  ln'\    lti".(  II 


W  I'll    \\  M^  III    iimi  (•  iin|iii|  I  .iiiri' 


ih.in    MUX     IIiIimIuI  Mill     nl      loilMIII    iMIl    IIIIMf'.mi',         III     llll"-i'    iirw 


ruiinl  I  ii's,   w  lii'ii'  iiiMii  MM'-  '-I 


Mill'    M^^.i'll  I'll    lll'-l     ilitimilliHI.    Illl' 


s\\  Miiir- 


MluiinlMiil   nil    I'Vi'iN    s-nji'  ;    (ln'    iir-ri  I    |iii|iiiImI 


lull       I  '■! 


iiiiiini  lur-  lir\  uinl    1 


M'lirl.    Mill 
1. 


I  I  In'  liinls    I  iiMl    li'i'il   i>ii    I  Ik'III 


II  iri'ss  I II 


I  inn 


Mir    111   |irii|iiii  I  i«i|i   In    llirii     Mi'iiiiilMin  r.        Ill   |i| 

whrll    linn     slnllrllli".     wnml'.    Mil'    I'lrMiril.    mII    lln-.i'    li'i'Cili' 

lii'lnii'  llirii    iiiM'Iri,  l>iil   iml    lulmi'  hi'-  ('iii|iir<'  is    I'lilly  i'-Im 


l.lisln'.l,      Tl 


ii'M'  iniiiii 


(('    Mi'IImI    tiU'SMir    ninli'    llMII'M'^sill!^   lIlMII 


thi'  Iciiilili'  iiiIimImI  Mills  KJ  llii'  liui'sl.  Mini  iiinri'  <liirniill  In 
t'Nin'l.  ll  |siiiil\  li\  |iriil  I'll  III;".  Mini  in  snnn'  snil  ilniiirsli 
tMliii)'..  llii'si'  lillli'  \\ini',«'il  mIIii's,  u  liii  MllMilv  llii'in  in  (licir 
«M\  II  I'li'iiii'iil.  lliMl  llii'  1  nmjiici  nr  III  I  111'  linn  Mini  iMinrrnl 
ihi' i'li'|i|iMnl  I  Mil  hn|ii'  In  slrn|i  m  |ii'Mrr.  nr  cmI  liis  iiir'ils  iin 
|inlluli'il.  \\  lull'  ImcmKImsI  111!',  '*r  ilriiiKiiiii,  (<'m  in  llic  Miry 
|inrli<n.  wliK'Ii  WMs  nlli'ii  llir  si  cin'  nj  llirsn  iiu'mIs,  liiitls 
were  ('nnslMiilU  I'.iiiliii!','  nviT  llic  (mMi'  williM  Inil  1  cill V, 
^rMsslin|i|u'r.  nr  I'ii'MilM    in    (heir   lulls,  (n    loi'il    llirir   yniin^', 


innul'i'i  Miiil  \;uii'l\.  Tlirii  )>ii|Mil!nil  v  wnw  Mi'iimiMlx  iliiiiiiiisliril.  Iiow 
ever,  when  il  \m»s  iiis<ii\  rri'ii  tliiil  lliry  liml  ilrivcn  mwuv  llir  wii'-'h, 
Mill' Mril-i.  vol'iiis.  mill  nlliiT  tMiuir.MV  Mi'iIm.  wIium' rliri'iliil  iihIi'm  Innl 
boi'U  snlislitiili'ii  l>v  the  siiiyli'  IiiuhIi  Mini  lunniiliMiiiiis  r'lirp  nl  tticir 
suri'i'SSdis  ()n1  ol  llii'  I'lM  I'n'i'iiirlH  M  ttilVi'irlil  irrr|>lliili  iiwiiilril 
Ilii'iu  Ttirii'  ihi'  liusivuiiiiii.'in.  ji'iiliMiH  III  liis  jiriiiii  I'ii'IiIm.  f'uliilnl  ili:- 
sii;\iriiv\  Willi  llicslint  .o.iiii  '|'ln>ir  iin'siMii'c  Kiinii  lii-jvini  In  ln' rrj-jjiiriii'il 
in  llu'  I'llN  MS  Mil  iinri|iiMl  i'M'Iimii!!''  '<'I'  iIh'  iinpiiliir  hhhjihIi'Ih  tluil  liiul 
bi'cn  iiii\  I'll  MX\M\  ,  Mini  (lu'ii   lialiils  In  In-  Ml  li'iiili'ii  willi  iiiiiili'MSMiil  lui 

lliUMIll'l'  .)/. 


i 


,  ^.^^..^ . .      -rftfirriilirrifiitiltirftliu 


imu:  -"i*^tii^'»Jtia  \r^  -  • 


M  l;Miiilt;i    'i|.     ^^J    A  Ml  lih'  \\    I  ,A1>V 


Mil 


' 


X 


wild  Wi'ir  r|||i|i||l!^  ;iliii\i'.  TIh"."'  I.'linili.'ll  iimi;i(r';  l>lll^ll<'<l 
l>y  wiliiiMil  ci'i  rm<iii\  ,  wliili'  (III'  <  lmimi\  '\v;ill>iw,  'In- 
IIIMlllll,  .'linl  ollli'l  llll  llll<lllir'!  Ill  riiiinlli  "::  II II  III  I  hi -:  i|ii|lri| 
|i:i'il     ill      |illl':llll    III      lIljM     Mili.'l!     |i<>|i1ll:il  lull,      ulillr     I  lir      lii'lij'-l 

ri'uniindi  i|   Willi  till'  fiimcic':':    r|iii|iiiiK  cil'    iii.'iiiy  !';i\    insrct^ 


iliilvimwii  |i>  mil  iimir  I  cmi  ir  i  ;il  p  cimiiiiii'.  I  In  ;c  u<i<> 
ii<<u  Mini  llii'ii  iiiiiii'li'il  w  ill)  llir  :iiiiiii;ili'i|  iiml  nnl  iMi|i|i'!miii^ 
<l  \  III  I  ln'  I  nr  I  I  (Mf,  ;i  n  r;i|  iiic  111  I  li;i  I  '  pi  in  •.,  Kill  •  i|  ii  li;r|il, 
slrmli  r  Imiii,  mIiiimsI  I  i  iiiij  |i;iit'iil ,  iiml  nj  ii  li\i  l\  iMrcn  ;  il. 
is:  ilr\  |i)  llip  liiiK'ii,  Mini  liMf^:  Mill  llir  iImiiL  11  h  ii  :!  1 1 1  c  III  iIm 
miimmIh'  iiJMlii'nn  ;  in  .';|niil  il  i:  m  |inlt\  li\<ls  ihmIi.m', 
Willi  M  siiii'IiImi  Mini  rlni  rliil  imlr.  'I'lii'  ImihI  mihI  tml  iiii 
Itlt'Msiii!';  iir:r(|  rlnnilw,  willi  llir  swmiiiimuI  j'mv  IhiI  I  ci  lln-s 
ill   iiMI'il  Mill    limlliin,  rlill\rn   sii  in";    In    wlinli    llic     |ili\Mlrinr 

111     W Is,    I  isilllf    "   sIlMiIl'   m1»ii\  r   sIlMlJr  "    nil   l'\  II  \'    Mli|r,    W  irl||i| 

III  ln'l  W  isi-  t\l\r  M  r.( '.]\  Mini  'uji'lnil  M':|nrl.  SrvilMJ  iilijrels, 
W  llirll  will)  MM  Mir  III!  MUM  1 1  Ml  Mil  mil'  In  I  lir  ■  uj  I  rlirij  illMMJ^CH 
Mini  ('inllr-:s  rliMlinsiil  IIIImI  srrliny,  ||  liill'l  Itr  rniilrsMrij 
Mir    WMIlllll!'    llirlr.        Nu   ImiL    wr  In  ililCf:   llir      iiii    IIimI    1  !■  i  '■',   |i> 


III 


I   llic    ihiik     imrsls    Mini    v  l'':""iiii;/  ImLi-i  nl     A 


iiiri  HM   ;    iin 


inrlliiW      llllll'll     111'     ilrrji   I  iilinl      I  iImi' 1<  In  I  1 1     WMiMi'M      llilniiirli 

(lirsr  Mwliil  si-iil  inlrs,  m   snll'  iisllir  liMiiiiy  Inmr  nl   IwiliKJil, 

with 

"  Till'  rn|iiiil  liinjninjM' "I  I  III' ///■i<iv.'<  " 


'rwiliLjIil   ilM'ir,  tin-    niilil  Mini    ,';1imi|iiu  y  Inmr,  so   soiilliii 


)"■ 


til    r\rl\     I'rrlili^",  rvrlV    |M'M'M\r    liiii.r!   ;    (IimI     snll.    llMllsitinri 
linlii   iIm  V    I  n   llir^lll,   sn    ilcMf  I  n   | 


IS  Mrlr  si'Mirr   K  imu  11, 


M'Mrr,   sn  iliir    I  n    iiirilll  Ml  inn, 
ll    li'MSI    nlllv    Ivlinwn    In  liM\r    ils   sinilt 


lirss    I'ri'l'i 


(Iril.        \'n     ihiisy    ilMslrns   In     nirrl     llir    s| 


nine,  ()|- 


t'liiliflli' ln'H   llir   iiicMil      in    Miniiiicr  ;   iinr    nn   |iiii'|ilr    lir;ifli 

(■xIimIi'S  its  W  llnlrsnllir  mlnr,  nr  (Irrks  llir  Mini  UMsIr  U'ilil 
tlir  riiMslniril  i^lnw  nl  ils  WM\ilil^  Krli-i.  Nn  />n/i/ii/  Innniii, 
siii'li  MS  rnli\  riis  t  lir  iiMiinw  vmIi'SoI'  ScnllMliil  uilli  L^'Hnly 
Mnnlll,  nnr  llnUrlillL^  l'lll/,r  willl  its  ^nlilrli  lilnssnlil',  ilrl'y- 
iiiL;-   tlir    rnlil    Ii1ms!s    nl'   rMily    s|iiiiii^,   MiiiiiiMtr    tlirir   sMinly 


'  k< 


114 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady, 


wilds.  Tlu'R-  llio  whitt'-blossoiiiod  sloe  docs  not  I'orcniii 
llie  orchai-d's  bloom,  nor  tlu'  pale  jtriinrosc  slu-lttT  its 
modest  head  beneath  the  tangled  shrubs.  Nature,  bounti- 
ful yet  not  profuse,  has  assigned  her  various  gifts  to  vai'ious 
elinies,  in  sueh  a  manner  that  none  can  claim  a  <leci<h'(l 
]»reeminence  ;  and  every  country  has  peculiar  cliarms,  which 
endear  it  to  the  natives  beyond  any  other.  I  have  been 
tempted  by  lively  recollections  into  a  digression  rather 
unwarrantable.     To  return  : 

At  the  back  of  the  large  house  was  a  smallei'  and  lower 
one,  so  joined  to  it  as  to  make  the  form  of  a  cross.  There 
one  or  two  lower  and  smaller  rooms  below,  and  the  same 
number  above,  afforded  a  refuge  to  the  family  dui'ing  the 
rigors  of  winter,  Avhen  the  spacious  summer  rooms  would 
have  been  intolerably  cold,  and  the  smoke  of  prodigio\is 
wood  tires  would  have  sullied  the  elegantly  clean  furniture. 
Here,  too,  was  a  sunk  story,  whei'e  the  kitchen  was  imme- 
diately below  the  eating  parlor,  and  increased  tlie  general 
warmth  of  the  house.  In  summer  the  negroes  I'esided  in  slight 
outer  kitchens,  whci'efood  was  dressed  for  the  family.  Those 
who  wrongl'it  in  the  tields,  often  iiad  their  simple  dinner 
cooked  without,  and  ate  it  un(h'i-  the  shade  of  a  great  tive. 
Oni'  room  1  should  have  said,  in  the  greatei- house  oidy,  was 
opened  for  the  reception  of  company  ;  all  the  I'cst  wei-e  bed- 
chauibers  foi'  their  accommodation,  while  the  domestic 
friends  of  the  family  occupied  neat  little  bed-rooms  in  tlie 
attics,  or  in  the  wint<'r  house.  This  house  contained  no  draw- 
ing-room ;  that  was  an  unheard-of  luxury  ;  the  winter  rooms 
had  carpets  ;  the  lobby  had  oil-cloth  j)ainted  in  lo/enges,  to 
imitate  blue  and  white  marble.  The  best  bedroom  was  huntr 
witli  family  portraits,  some  of  whi(;h  were  admirably  exe- 
cuted ;  and  in  the  eating  room,  whieli,  by  the  bye,  was  rarely 
used  for  that  i)urpose,  were  some  fine  scriptui-e  paintings; 
that  which  made  the  greatest  impi-ession  on  my  imaginativ)n, 
and  seemed  to  be  universally  admired,  was  one  of  Esau  corn- 


et- 


^1 


Mkmoihs  (»f  ax  Ami;hi<'an  Lady. 


115 


IC 

Tic 


to* 


'5 


iii<^  to  (IciiKiiid  the  aiiticipiitcMl  hk'ssinjf  ;  {\w  noble  Jiiaiily 
liLfiirc!  of  tlic  luckless  limitei',  and  the  aiiuuisli  expressed  in 
Ills  comely  tlioui!,'li  sti-on(r-("eatui'e(l  countenance,  I  shall 
never  roi-u;et.  'I'lie  house  i'ronti'(l  the  I'iver,  on  tlie  brink 
i>\'  which,  under  shades  ot"  elm  and  sycamore,  ran  the  gi'eat 
road  towards  Saratoga,  Stillwater,  ami  the  northei'n  lakes; 
a  little  simple  a\('ime  of  niorella  cherry  trees,  enclosed  witli 
a  white  rail,  led  to  the  roail  and  rivi'r,  not  three  hundred 
yards  distant.  Adjoining"  to  this,  on  the  south  side,  was  an 
enclosure,  sl'd)di\ided  into  three  parts,  of  which  the  first 
was  a  small  hay  field,  opposite  the  south  end  of  the  house  ; 
the  next,  not  so  long,  a  garden  ;  and  the  third,  by  far  the 
largest,  an  oi-chard.  These  were  surroundetl  by  simple 
deal  fences.  Now  let  not  the  genius  that  ])resides  over 
pleasure-grounds,  nor  any  of  his  elegant  votaries,  revcl;^ 
with  disgust  while  I  mention  the  unseenUy  ornaments 
which  were  (xhibited  on  the  stakes  to  whicli  the  deals  of 
these  same  ft'uces  were  bound.  Ti'uly  tliey  consisted  of  the 
skeleton  heads  of  horses  and  cattle  in  as  great  nnnd)ers  as 
(rould  be  procure(l,  stuck  upon  the  above  said  poles.  This 
was  not  mere  oi'uament  either,  but  a  most  hospitable 
arrangement  for  the  accommodation  of  the  small  familiar 
birds  befoi'e  described.  The  jaws  are  fixed  on  the  pole, 
and  the  skull  uppermost.  The  wren,  on  seeing  a  skull 
thus  placed,  never  fails  to  enter  by  the  orifice,  which  is  too 
small  to  a<lmit  the  hand  of  an  infant,  lines  the  pericrajiiuni 
with  small  twigs  and  horse  haii',  aiul  there  lays  her  eggs  in 
full  security.  It  is  very  amusing  to  see  the  little  creature 
carelessly  go  out  and  in  at  this  little  aperture,  though  you 
should  be  standing  imnu'dialely  beside  it.  Not  satisfied 
with  providing  these  singular  asylums  for  their  feathered 
friends,  the  negroi's  never  fail  to  nnike  a  small  round  hole 
in  the  crown  of  every  old  hat  they  can  lay  their  hands  on, 
ami  nail  it  to  the  end  of  the  kitchen,  for  the  same  ])urpose. 
You   often  see  in  such  a  one,  at   once,  thirty  or  forty  of 


I 


r^"* 


116 


Mkmotrs  of  an  Amkrtcan  Lady. 


those  odd  little  (lor.iicils,  with  the  iiihahitants  busily  goin<^ 
out  aiul  ill. 

liesidc's  all  these  salutary  ]>rovisi(>ns  for  the  domestic 
eomfort  of  the  binls,  thei'e  was,  in  clearini^  the  way  for 
their  first cstahlishuu'iit,  a  trie  always  h'ft  in  the  ini<ldle  of 
the  hack  yard,  for  their  sole  enKiluiiieiit  :  this  tree  beini^ 
|»ur|)osely  jtollarded  at  midsunniu'r,  when  all  the  hi'anehes 
were  full  of  sap.  AVherevi'r  there  had  been  a  branch  the 
decay  of  the  inside  ])roduced  a  holi'  ;  and  every  hole  was 
the  habitation  of  a  bird.  These  were  of  various  kinds  ; 
some  of  which  had  a  )>leasin<jf  note,  but  on  the  whole,  their 
songsters  are  far  inferior  to  ours.  1  rather  dwell  ou  these 
mimitiu',  as  they  not  only  mark  the  ])eculiarities  of  the 
country,  but  convey  very  truly  the  image  of  a  people  not 
too  refined  for  hap|»iness,  which,  in  the  process  of  elegant 
luxury,  is  apt  to  die  of  disgust. 


7 


CHAPTER  xvin. 

Descrtptiox  ok  Colon'kl  Si'nuYLKu's  Haun. 

jf\.l).TOTXnN^G  to  the  orchard  was  the  most  spacious  barn 
I  ever  beheld  ;  which  I  shall  describe  for  the  benefit  of 
such  of  my  readers  as  have  never  seen  a  buihling  constructed 
on  a  plan  so  comprehensive.  This  barn,  which,  as  will 
liereafter  a])pear,  answeri'd  many  bent  ticial  purposes  besides 
those  usually  allotted  for  such  edifices,  was  of  a  vast  si/e, 
at  least  an  hundred  feet  long,  and  sixty  wide.  The  roof 
rose  to  a  very  great  he'ght  in  the  midst,  and  sloped  down 
till  it  came  within  ten  feet  of  the  ground,  when  the  walls 
commenced  ;  which,  like  the  whole  of  this  fabric  was  formed 
of  wood.  It  was  raised  three  feet  from  the  ground,  by 
beams  resting  on  stone  ;  and  on  these  beams  were  laid  in 
the  middle  of  the  building  a  very  massive  oak  floor.     Before 


•3> 


.t» 


7 


Memoirs  of  an  Amkhkan  Lady, 


117 


tho  door  Wiis  a  larojo  sill,  sl»>|»iiit;  dowiiwai'ds,  of  llic  s:\uw 
iiiatori.'ils.  About  twelve  feet  in  lu'eailtli  on  each  side  of 
tliis  caitaeious  lMiildiii«f  were  ilivided  oil"  for  cattle  ;  on  one 
side  ran  a  manijer,  at  tlii'  above  nu-ntionecl  distance  fr(tni 
tile  wall,  the  wliole  lenj^tli  of  the  bnildinij,  with  a  rack 
above  it  ;  on  the  otliers  were  stalls  fui-  the  other  cattle, 
nnmiii!^  also  the  wliole  lenutli  of  the  buildinij.  The  c;iltli' 
and  horses  stood  with  tlu'ir  hinder  )tartst((the  wall,  and 
their  heads  project iny"  towai"<ls  the  threshiiiiH  tloor.  Thert; 
A\as  a  |)rodi_<j:ious  large  box  or  open  chest  in  one  sidi'  built 
u)»,  for  holding  the  corn  after  it  was  thrashed  ;  and  the 
roof,  which  was  very  lofty  and  spacious,  was  supporte<l  by 
large  cross  beams  ;  from  one  to  the  other  of  these  was 
stretched  a  great  Mund»er  of  long  poles,  so  as  to  form  a  sort 
of  open  loft,  on  which  the  whole  rich  ci'op  was  laid  u}». 
The  floor  of  those  i»arts  of  tlu-  barn,  which  answered  the 
purposes  of  a  stable  and  cowdiouse,  was  made  of  thick  slab 
deals,  laid  loosely  over  the  supporting  beams.  And  the 
mode  of  cleaning  those  plaees  was  by  turning  the  boards, 
and  permitting  the  dung  an<l  litti'r  to  fall  into  the  ivcepta- 
cles  left  open  below  for  the  purpose  ;  from  thence,  in  spring 
they  were  often  driven  down  tho  river,  the  soil  in  its  original 
state  not  recpiiring  tho  aid  of  manure.  In  the  front'  of 
this  vast  oditico  thoro  were  j)rodigious  folding  doors,  and 
two  t)thors  that  openi'd  behind. 

Certainly  never  did  cheerful  lairal  toils  wt'ar  a  more 
exhilarating  aspect  than  while  the  domestics  were  lodging 
the  luxuriant  harvest  in  this  capacious  repository.  When 
speaking  of  the  (b»ors,  I  should  Jiave  mentioned  that  they 
were  made  in  the  gabU^  ends  ;  those  in  tho  back  (Mpially 
large,  to  correspontl  with  those  in  the  front  ;  while  on  each 
side  of  tho  groat  doors  were  smaller  ones,  for  the  cattle  and 
horses  to  enter.     Whenever  the  corn  or  hay  was  reaped  or 

'  By  tlie  front  is  meant  the  gable  end,  which  contains  the  entrance, — 
Mrs.  Grant. 


i 

J  i 


i    t 


118 


Mkmoius  of  an  Amkric'an  Lady, 


cut,  and  ready  for  carryiiii^   lidinc,   wliicli   in   thai    dry  and 
arm    cliniati'    lia|>|K'Mcd    in    a    very    few    days,    a    wa^oii 


w 


l(ia<K'd  with  hay,  lor  instance,  was  drivt-n  int(t  the  nii<lst  of 
this  LCrcat  haiMi,  loa<U'd  also  with  nninherh'ss  hiruo  i^i-ass- 
li(»|i|»ers,  hnttcrllit's,  and  cic^nhis,  who  canic  ah)n';-  with  the 
hay.  From  the  loi>  of  the  wau:on,  lliis  was  immcdiaU-ly 
forked  u])  into  the  h>ft  of  the  barn,  in  the  midst  of  whieli 
was  an  o|ten  space  k'fl  for  the  i>nr|»ose  and  then  the 
uidoaded  way'on  di'ove,  in  rustic  state,  ont  of  tlie  ^n-eat  door 
at  the  oilier  end.  In  the  meantime  every  member  of  tliu 
family  witnesse(l,  or  assisted  in  this  summary  iii'ocess  ;  1)y 
which  the  liuildini«-  and  thatching  of  stacks  was  at  once 
saved  ;  and  the  whole  ci-o)>  and  cattle  wi're  thus  compendi- 
ously lodeed  umler  one  roof. 

The  cheerfulness  of  this  animated  scene  was  much 
heightened  by  tlu'  (|uick  appearance,  and  vanishing  of  the 
swalh»ws  ;  who  twitlei'ed  among  their  high-built  dwellings 
in  the  roof.  Here,  as  in  every  other  instance,  the  safety  of 
these  domestic  friends  was  attende<l  to  ;  and  an  ul)ode  prt)- 
vided  for  them.  In  the  front  of  this  barn  were  many  holes, 
like  those  of  a  pigeon-liouse,  for  the  accommodation  of 
the  niartin  :'  that  being  the  t-pecies  to  which  this  kind  of 
home  seems  most  congenial  ;  and,  in  the  inside  of  the  barn, 
1  have  counted  above  foi!i'sc<jre  at  once.  In  the  winter, 
when  the  earth  was  buried  deep  in  new  fallen  snow,  and  no 
])ath  iit  for  walking  in  was  kd't,  this  barn  was  like  a  great 
galk  ry,  well  suitecl  foi-  that  puipose  ;  and  furnislied  with 
pictures,  not  un[)leasing  to  a  simple  a. id  contented  mind. 
As   you   walked  through   this  long  area,  looking  n\),  you 


'  Tlio  martin,  the,  lartfcst  of  tlii'  swallow  family,  has  disappeared 
from  this  locality.  Fitty  yoars  ajjo  elevated  l)oxes  were  provided  for 
their  accommodation  in  rearinjf  their  youn^  at  many  residences  in 
city  and  country.  They  apjw'ared  about  the  middle  of  April,  and 
liavinj;  reared  two  broods  durinjj  the  summer,  departed  about  the 
third  week  in  August  for  a  warmer  winter  climate. —  M. 


.11 


mmmm 


MlvMoIHS    OF    AN    AmKIMCAN    LaDY. 


11!» 


l)eh()l<l  tlic  uIiiukImiicc  of  ilic  year  ti'casurcd  alntvc  ynii  ;  on 
<tiu'  si<U'  tlic  coiiifly  heads  ol'  your  siinrtiiii^  steeds  |>i'eseiited 
tlu'iiiselves  arranged  in  seemly  ordei*  ;  ontlie  oilier,  your 
kine  displayed  their  meeker  visaucs,  wiiile  the  |»ers|iei'tive 
<»n  t'ither,  was  tei'iiiiiiatecl  l»y  lu-it'eis  and  lillii's  no  less 
interest  in  <;•.  In  the  midst,  yoiir  servants  exercised  the  tlail  ; 
and  even,  while  they  tlireshed  ont  the  straw,  dist  lihuted  it 
.0  the  i'.\i»ectants  on  lioth  sides  ;  while  the  "  liberal  handful" 
was  oeeasionallv  thrown  to  the  nianv  eo|ore(l  ])oulti'v  on  the 
hill.  Winter  itsell"  iiext-r  made  this  al»(»de  of  life  and  ]ilenty 
cold  or  cheerless.  Here  von  miyht  walk  and  vii'W  all  vour 
sul)je('ts,  and  their  means  of  su|t}iort,  at  one  glance  ;  except, 
indeed,  tlie  sheep,  for  whom  a  larufci  and  commodious  building 
was  erected  very  near  the  barn  :  the  roof  of  which  was 
furnished  with  a  loft  large  enough  t"  contain  hay  sutlicient 
for  their  winter's  food. 

Col.  Schuyler's  i»arn  was  by  far  tlie  largest  I  have  ever 
seen  :  but  all  of  them,  in  tliat  country,  were  constructed  on 
the  same  plan,  furnished  with  the  sanu'  accommodation,  and 
presented  the  same  cheering  aspect.  The  orcliard,  as  I 
formerly  mentioned,  was  on  the  south  side  of  the  barn  ;  on 
the  north,  a  little  fartln'r  back  towards  tlie  wood,  which 
formed  a  dark  screen  behind  this  smiling  scene,  there  was 
an  enclosure,  in  which  the  remains  of  the  deceased  members 
of  tlu^  family  were  deposited.  A  field  of  pretty  large  extent, 
adjoining  to  the  house  on  that  side,  remained  uncultivated, 
and  unenclosed  ;  over  it  were  scattered  a  few  large  apple 
trees  of  a  peculiar  kiiul  ;  the  fruit  of  Avhich  was  never 
approi)riate(l.  This  piece  of  level  and  productive  land,  so 
near  tlie  family  nnmsion,  and  so  adapted  to  various  and 
useful  purjioses,  was  never  nuule  use  of  :  but  left  o\)vu  as  a 
public  benefit. 

From  the  known  liberality  of  this  munificent  family,  all 
Indians,  or  new  settlers,  on  their  journey,  whether  they 
came    by   land  or    water,   rested    here.     The   military,    in 


I 


^ 


120 


MK.MUlltS    OF    AN    AmKKK'AN    LaDY. 


j);issin<r,  iihvays  formed  a  caiiip  on  lliis  coninion  ;  antl  licrc 
the  Iixliaii  wiifwams  were  often  |>iaiite(l  ;  here  all  manner 
of  l^arden  stnlf,  frnit,  and  milk,  were  plentifnily  distribnted 
to  wanderers  of  all  descriptions.  Kvery  snmniei-,  for  ntany 
years,  there  was  an  encanipnient,  either  of  re^ndar  <»r  pro- 
vincial troops,  on  this  common  :  and  often  \y\\vn  the  troops 
proceeded  nortliward,  a  little  colony  of  helpless  women  and 
childri-n,  l»elonifin<^  to  them,  was  h'ft  in  a  great  measure 
dependi'nt  on  the  compassion  of  these  worthy  pati'iarchs  ; 
fi)r  8iU'h  the  brothers  might  he  jnstly  called. 


i^« 


I  I 


CIIAITKR  XIX. 

INfir.rrAKv  I'liKrAUAiioNs — Fidki.itv  ok  tiik  .Mohawks. 

J.  IIK  first  year  of  tlie  colonel's  marriage  was  chielly  spent 
in  New  Vork,  and  in  visits  to  the  friends  of  his  bride  and 
other  relations.  The  following  yeai's  they  spent  at  home  ; 
surronnded  daily  by  his  bi-others,  and  their  families,  and 
other  relatives,  with  whom  they  maintained  the  most  ail'ec- 
tionate  interconrse.  The  colonel,  however  (as  I  have  called 
him  by  anticipation),  had,  at  this  time,  his  nund  engaged  by 
jjublic  dnties  of  the  most  nrgeiit  nature.  He  was  a  nunnber 
of  the  colonial  assembly  ;  and,  by  a  kind  of  hereditary  right, 
was  obliged  to  snpport  that  character  of  patiiotism,  eonrage, 
and  public  wisdom,  which  had  so  eminently  distinginshed 
his  father.  The  father  of  INIrs.  Schuyler,  too,  had  been  long 
mayor  of  Albany  ;'  at  that  time  an  office  of  great  impoil- 
ance  :  as  including,  within  itself,  the  entire  civil  power 
exercised  over  tlu^  whole  settlement  as  well  as  the  town,  and 
liaving  attached  to  it  a  sort  of  })atriarchal  authority  ;  foj- 
the  peoi)le,  little  ac(piainted  w^ith  coercion,  and  by  no  means 

'  He  was  mayor  from  1703  to  170G.     His  son  Joliannis  Jr.,  held  the 
office  1742-3. 


Mk.MOIKS    ()!••    AN     A.MKKICAN     LaKV 


121 


inclined  to  su1»init  Id  il,  li.id,  however,  a  i»i'oronii(l  reverenei', 
!is  is  ''eiuTiiliv  the  ease  in  the  iiil'anev  of  soeietv,  tor  the 
r.nniliesof  their  tirst  leadiTs  ;  whom  they  had  jookeil  up  to 
merely  as  knowiii!^  them  t<»  possess  superior  wortii,  talent 
and  enterprise.  In  a  soeiefy,  as  yet  uneorrupted,  the  value 
of  this  rich  iidieritaiiee  can  <»nly  1)e  diniinislK'd  hy  deLjra<la- 
tion  oi'  eharaeter,  in  the  representat  i\  t'  of  a  family  thus  self- 
ennohled  ;  especially  if  he  l»e  disinterested.  'I'his,  thoULjh 
apparantly  a  netfative  (pinlily,  Iteint;  the  one  of  all  others 
that,  cond)ined  with  the  hiuher  powers  of  mind,  most  eni,'aixes 
alTeetion  in  private  and  esteem  in  |nd»lic  lilV'.  This  is  a 
shield  that  hlunts  the  shafts  which  en\y  never  fails  to  levi'l 
at  the  prosperous,  even  in  old  estahlishments  ;  where,  from 
the  very  nature  of  thin<;s,  a  thousand  ohst I'uctions  rise  in 
the  upwai'd  jiath  of  merit,  and  a  thousand  temptations 
appear  to  mislead  it  fron:  its  direct  I'oad  ;  and  where  the 
rays  of  opinion  aic  refracted  l»y  so  many  prejudices  of  con- 
tendint;'  interests  and  fa(iit)ns.  Still,  if  any  charm  can  he 
found  to  fix  that  tieetinjj;  }>]iantom  jtopnlarity,  this  is  it  ;  it 
would  he  \  erv  honorahlc  to  human  nature,  if  this  couhl  he 
attrihutcil  to  the  pure  love  ()f  virtue  ;  hut  alas  !  multitinles 
are  not  made  u]»  of  the  wise  or  the  virtuous.  Vet  the  very 
unselHshm'ss  of  our  nature  inclines  us  to  love  and  trust  thosi' 
Avlio  are  not  likely  t(»  desire  any  benetit  from  us  in  return 
for  those  they  confer.  Other  vices  may  l>e,  if  not  social,  in 
some  degree  gregarious  :  hut  even  the  avaricious  liate  ava- 
rice in  all  l)ut  themselves. 

Thus,  inheriting  unstainetl  integrity,  nid)oinided  popu- 
larity, a  cool,  deteiMuinetl  spirit,  and  ample  possessions,  no 
man  had  fairer  ju'etensions  to  unlimiti'd  sway,  in  the  sphere 
in  whicli  he  moved,  than  the  colonel  ;  1»ut  of  this,  no  man 
could  he  less  desirous.  lie  was  too  wise  and  too  happy  to 
solicit  authority  ;  an<l  yet  too  puhlie-spirited  and  too  gene- 
rous to  decline  it,  when  any  good  was  to  l)e  done  or  any  (>vil 
resisted  ;  from  which  no  private  benefit  resulted  to  liimself. 

16 


fi 


'% 
m 


■  i 


1-2 


MiiMdiiis  OK  /\N   A.MKincAN  Laky 


Yoimi;  as  his  wife  was,  and  iiiucli  as  she  vahir<l  tlic  Idi-ss- 
iiitr  «»r  tlu'ir  unii>ii,  niid  the  |iU'asiiri'  of  liis  society,  slic  slmwctl 
a  spirit  worthy  of  a  IJiUMan  iiiatron  ;  in  williniily  risixini,'  all 
her  happini'ss,  even  in  that  early  jieriod  ol'  her  niairia^e,  l>y 
eoiisentiiiij  to  his  assuininLf  a  military  eoniniand  ;  and  leadin;;; 
forth  the  |trovin('i;d  tniojis  against  the  eoimnoii  enemy  ; 
Avho  had  now  bi'come  more  boldly  ilanycrous  than  ever. 
Not  content  with  secretly  stimnlatinj^  the  Indian  trihes,  who 
were  their  allies,  :ind  enemies  to  the  Mohawks,  to  acts  of 
violence,  the  l-'rench  Canadians,  in  violation  of  cxistinj;  t  reat- 
ties,  lM'<ian  to  make  incnrsions  on  the  sli<;hest  jtretexts.  It 
was  no  common  warfare  in  which  the  colonel  was  ahont  to 
enyatxc  ;  hut  the  (hities  of  enterini;  on  viyorons  measures 
for  the  defi-nce  of  the  comilry,  Itecanu'  not  only  ol»vions  hut 
nri^ent.  No  otliei-  |ierson  Init  he  had  influence  enouu'h  to 
jiroduce  any  cohesion  amouLj  the  jieople  of  that  district,  or 
any  determination,  with  tlieii'  own  arms  and  at  theii"  own 
cost,  to  attack  the  common  enemy.  As  formerlv  ohserved, 
this  had  hithei'to  heen  ti'usted  to  the  live  confederate  Mo- 
liawk  nations  ;  wlio,  thouuh  still  failld"ul  to  their  old  fi'iends, 
had  too  much  saiiacitv  and  observation,  and  indi'e<l  too 
strong  a  native  sense  of  ri'ctitude  to  persuade  their  young 
warriors  to  go  on  venturing  their  lives  in  defence  of  those, 
who,  from  their  increased  ]»owei"  and  innnbers,  were  able  to 
defend  themselves  with  the  aid  of  tlicir  allies.  Add  to  this, 
that  their  jiossessions  weiv  mi  all  sides  daily  extending  ;  and 
tliat  they,  the  .Mbanians,  W(.  .e  eai-rying  their  trade  for  furs, 
etc.,  into  the  deepest  recesses  of  tlie  forests,  and  towards 
those  great  lakes  whicli  tlie  Canadians  were  accustomed  to 
consider  as  the  boundaries  of  tlieir  donunions  ;  and  wliere 
tliey  had  Indians  wliom  tliey  were  at  great  pains  to  attacli 
to  themselves,  and  to  inspire  against  us  and  our  allies. 

Colonel  Schuyler's  father  had  held  the  same  rank  in  a 
provincial  corps  formerly!  but  in  Ids  time,  there  was  a 
profound  peace  in  the   district  lie   inhabited  ;  though   from 


<P' 


MkMoIUS    <iF    A\    AmKUK'AN    TiAKY. 


12.'] 


his  n'soliitc  t<'m|n"r',  itml  kiiuwItMli^c  of  piildir  luisini'ss,  iiihI 
(if  till'  (lilVciciil  lii«li:iii  I;m<,ni!iLji's,  he  was  sclcctctl  tt»  head 
!i  rcLjiiiicnl,  rais«'«l  in  (lie  .Icrsrys  and  liic  adjacriit  Idiiinds, 
fui-  tlic  (Icrciicc  of  ilic  liack  frontiers  of  l't'imsvl\  aiiia,  New 
Kn^lainl,  v\c.  Colonel  IMiilip  Selinylei-  was  tlie  liist  who 
raiseil  ,1  corps  in  liie  interior  of  the  provim-e  of  New  Vorl\  ; 
whicii  was  not  only  (hme  hy  his  personal  inllnenee,  l>nt 
(leeasioiieij  him  a  consideralile  expi'iisi',  t  lionyh  the  regiment 
was  pail!  by  the  province,  the  province  also  fiirnishin;;  arms 
anil  military  stores  ;  tlu'ir  si-rvice  Ix'inL,',  like  that  of  all 
pro\incials,  limited  to  the  summer  half  year. 

The  t;'i>vernor  aiul  chief  commander  came  up  to  All»any 
to  view  and  appr(»ve  the  preparations  inakinn'  f(n'  this  inte- 
rior war,  and  to  meet  the  congress  of  Indian  sachems  ;  who 
on  that  occasioi  r  m  >  -ed  their  solenni  league  with  their 
brother  the  yreat  1."'.  "oloiu'l  Schuyler,  being  then  tlu' 
])ers()n  they  most  looked  .ip  to  ami  conlidod  in,  was  tlu'ir 
proxy  (ui  this  occasion  in  ratifying  an  engagement  to  which 
they  ever  adhered  with  singular  fidelity.  And  mutual 
)»resents  biiglnene*!  the  chain  of  amity,  to  use  their  own 
figurativi'  language. 

The  common  and  the  barn,  at  tho  Flats,  were  fully  occu- 
pied, and  the  hospitable  mansion,  as  was  usual  on  all  public 
occasions,  ovi'rt1owe»l.  There  the  general,  his  aid-de-camps, 
the  sachcjiis,  and  tlu'  princi|»a'  otHci-rs  of  the  (tolonePs  regi- 
ment, were  recei\('(l  ;  and  those  who  could  not  find  room 
there  of  the  next  class,  were  accomim»dated  by  Peter  and 
Jeremiah,  On  the  (common  was  an  Indian  encampnient  ; 
and  the  barn  and  orchard  were  full  of  the  [)rovincials.  All 
these  last  brouglit  as  usual  their  (»wn  food  ;  but  were  sup- 
]>liod  by  this  liberal  family  with  every  production  of  the 
ganlen,  dairy,  ami  orchanl.  While  the  colonel's  judgment 
was  exercised  in  the  necessaiy  regulations  for  this  untried 
■warfare,  ^Vlrs.  Scliuyler,  by  the  calm  fortitude  she  displayed 
in  this  trying  exigence,  by  the  good  sense  and  good  breed- 


124 


MeMOIKS    (JF    an    AMKRIfAX    LaDY. 


iii<f  willi  wliicli  slic  accominod.'ik'd  lier  iinnu'i'ous  and  various 
Ljncsls,  and  l»y  those  judicious  attcnlions  to  faniilyconci'rns, 
wliicli,  in'oducin^  order  and  I'eyularity  tliroun'li  every  <le- 
])a'"tnient  without  visihh;  hustle  and  anxiety,  enahk'  the 
mistress  of  a  family  to  add  grace  and  i-ase  to  hospitality, 
showed  herself  worthy  of  her  distinguished  lot. 


C'lIAlTKi:   XX. 

A    K'KKKArrOKV     WAinilOK. TllK    Sl'lItlT     rKHVADIM!     IIII': 

N  i:\\  -K.\(;i,AM)  Pi!o\i.\(  ks. 


Wi 


IIILK  these  preparations  were  going  on,  tlu' gem-ral ' 
[(Jov.  Shirley]  was  making  every  effort  of  the  neighhor- 
hnod  to  'ii'ge  those  who  had  ]>romised  assistance,  to  come 
forward  with  their  allotted  ((uotas. 

On  the  other  side  of  the  river,  not  vei-y  far  from  tlio 
Flats,  lived  a  ]ierson  whom  I  shall  not  name  ;  though  his 
conduct  was  so  peculiar  ami  charactei'istic  of  the  times, 
tha.t  his  anti-heroism  is  on  that  sole  account  worth  mention- 
in«r.  This  i»<>rson  lived  in  ixwM  securitv  and  abundance, 
in  a  place  like  an  earthly  ])aradise,  and  scai'cely  knew  what 
it  was  to  liave  an  ungratilie(l  wish,  having  had  considerahle 
wealth  lefttoliim  ;  and  from  the  simple  ami  domestic  hahits 
of  his  lit"e,  liad  formeil  no  desii'cs  beyond  it,  unless  indeed 
it  were  the  desire  of  being  thought  a  brave  man,  which 
seeine(l  his  greatest  ambition  :  he  was  strong,  rol)Ust,  and  an 
excellent  marksman  ;  talked  loud,  looked  tierce,  and  always 


'  The  coiini<re,  ability  iiiul  cncrpfy  of  Gov.  Sliirlcy  were  not  cniiiit'iitly 
aiiprcciated  in  Now  York.  Yet  his  acta  iir'>  al)i":i(i!intly  recorded  in 
the  volumes  of  tlie  documentary  history  of  that  colony,  lie  lias  found 
an  ardent  vindicator  in  Mr.  S.  (J.  Drake,  in  t\w,  Ptirticiil/ir  Ilint'irt/  of 
the  French  and  Indian  War  (1^70),  in  which  his  civil  and  military 
services  are  set  forth  advantajreously,  and  he  is  characterized  as  one  of 
t!ie  ablest  of  the  colonial  jrovernors. —  M. 


r. 


1>  ? 


AfKMoins  OF  AX  AMFRir.w  Lady 


12') 


■4% 


^ 


I'X  I  tressed   tlic  utmost    scorn   anil   dctcsta'.ion  ul"  cowaiMlicc. 
'I'lic  coloni'l  :i)tiiruMl  to  liini,  tlial  liis   iianic,  and   tlic   naiiics 
ot"  such  adlu'i'cuts  as  he  couhl    Itriuii',  uiiulit    l»i'  set  down  in 
tlielist  of  those   who   wei'e  to   hrinii"  tlieir  ipiota,  against    a 
U'ivi'n   time,  I'oi-  the   n'eiuTal   (h'I'ence  ;   with   tlie   re(|uest  he 
C()in|tlied.       When    the    rench'/vous  came   on,   this    talking 
warrior  liail  ehann'cd   his  mind,  and   ahsohitely   refused   to 
a|"|)i'ar  ;   the  ^'eiiei'al  si-nt  I'oi'  him,  and  warmly  ex|iost uLate*! 
on  his  bi'each  of  promise  ;  the  had  i'\am|iie,  r.nd  tlie  disar- 
rangement of  plan  which   it  occasionecl  :   the  culprit    spoke 
in   a  liiu'h   tone,   sayini;,   very  truly   "that    the   ^-eneral   was 
])ossessed    of  no  legal    means  of    coercion  ;  that    evei'v  one 
went  or  staid  as  they  chose  ;   and  that  his  change  of  opinion 
on   that     snhject    remlereil    him    liable  to   no   penalty  what- 
ever.""    TiriMl    of   tins   sophistry,    the    enragecl   general  had 
reiMiurse  to  cluh  law  ;  and   si'i/.ing  a  cmlgel,  helalmred   this 
rt'creant     knight    most,     manfully  ;     while    several     Indian 
sachems,   and  many  of  his  own    count  ryuu'u    and   fi'iends, 
coollv  stood  l)v  ;   for  the  coloiU'Ts  noted   connnon   was  the 
scene  of  his  assault.     Our  jtoor  neighbor  (as  lie  long  after 
became)  suffered  tliis  dri'adful   bastinado,  unaidecl  and   un- 
pitied  ;  and    this    example,    and   the   subsecpient   conteni])! 
under    which   he   labored    (for    he    was    ever  after    styled 
captain,  and  he  did  not    I'cfuse  the  title),  was  said  to  haxc 
an  excellent  elTect  in   preventing  such   iH'trogr.ade  nu)tittns 
in    subseipient   campaigns.'     'I'he   pro\inc,ial   troops,   aided 


'  Al)ov'(^  thirty  yoars  after,  wh(M\  the  writer  of  these  ]iiif;es  lived  witli 
her  fiiniily  at  the  Flats,  tlu;  hero  of  this  little  tale  used  very  frecitieiitly 
to  visit  her  fatlier,  a  veteran  ofHcer;  and  beiiiy  a  j^n-eat  talker,  war  and 
])i)liti('s  wer(^  his  ineessant  tftpics.  Tliere  was  no  ('aini)ai<in  or  expedi- 
tion ])roi)<ised  but  what  lie  censured  and  decided  on;  |)ro|Misinjf 
methods  of  his  own,  by  which  tlieymijiht  have  been  nnudi  better  con- 
ducted ;  in  short  Parollea  with  his  drum  was  a  nien^  typ*!  of  our 
neighbor.  ITer  father  lon^  wondered  how  kindly  he  took  to  him, 
and  hew  a  person  of  so  nnich  wealth  nnd  elo(|uence  should  dwcdl  so 
obscurely,  and  shun  all  the  duties  of  ])ublic  life  ;  till    at  length  we 


< 


120 


^TkMoIRS    of   an    AiMElUCAN   LaDY. 


■1^ 


by  tlu'  fiiitliful  ]M()li:iwks,  perFoniicMl  tlii'ir  duty  willi  groat 
sjtiiit  and  jHTSfvcraiicc.  Tlicy  were,  indeed,  vciy  superior 
to  the  ignorant,  obstinate,  and  niean-soided  beings,  wlio, 
in  after  times,  liroiiglit  tlu'  very  name  of  ])rovineial  troops 
into  discredit  ;  and  wei'e  aetuated  by  no  single  motive 
l)nt  that  of  avoiding  tlie  legal  |>enalty  then  attixed  to  dis- 
obedienei',  and  enjoying  tlie  ]>ay  and  ])rovisions  allotted  to 
them  l»y  the  province  or  the  mother  coiinti'y,  I  cannot  ex- 
actly say  wliicli.  After\\ai*(ls,  wlien  the  refuse  of  mankind 
were  sclecli'd,  likt'  l'\alstatrs  soldiers,  and  raised  much  in 
till'  sanu'  way,  the  New  Voi-k  troops  still  maintainecl  their 
respectability.  This  snpi'riority  might,  \\ithout  repi'oach- 
ing  othei's,  be  in  somi'  measure  accountetl  for  from  inci- 
dental causes.  'I'lie  four  New  Kngland  provinci'S  were  mudi 
earlier  settled,  assumed  sooner  the  forms  of  a  ci\il  commu- 
nity, and  lived  within  naia-ower  bounds  ;  they  were  more 
laborious  ;  their  fanaticism,  which  the}'  bi-onght  from 
Kngland  in  its  utmost  fervor,  long  continued  its  efTervi's- 
cence,  where  thei'e  were  no  ])leasuri's,  oi-  indeed  lucrative 
l)ursuits,  to  detacli  their  mind  from  it,  and  long  after  tliat 
genuine  spirit  of  pii'ty,  which,  howevi-r  narrowed  and  dis- 
ligui'cd,  was  still  sincere,  had  in  a  great  measui'o  evapo- 
rated ;  enough  of  the  pride  and  rigor  of  bigotry  remained  to 
maki'  llu'ui  detest  and  desjdse  the  Fudian  tribes,  as  ignorant 
luatlu'U  savagi's.  Tlu'  tribes,  indeed,  wiio  inhabited  their 
district,  had  l»een  so  wi'akened  by  an  unsuccessful  warfare 
with  the  ^Sloliawks,  and  were  so  every  way  iufeiioi-  to  them, 
that  after  the  lirst  establishment  of  the  colony,  and  a  few 
feeble  attacks  succefssully  repulsed,  they  were  no  longer 
eiu'inies  to  be  dreadi'd,  or  friends  to  be  courted.  '^Phis  had 
an  uidiappy  ell'ect  with  regard   to  those  ]»rovinces  ;  and  to 


diacovercd  that  h(i  still  loved  to  talk  arrojrantly  of  war  and  j-ublic 
atfairs,  and  pitched  upon  him  for  a  lisfeiuT,  as  tlu;  only  juTson  lie 
could  suppose  iiinornnt  of  his  disjjrace.  Such  is  human  nature!  and 
80  incurabh^  is  human  vanity  !  !  — Mrti.  Grant. 


'J 


-\S 


% 


Mfmoius  of  an  American  Lady 


127 


^ 


the  different  relations  in  wliieli  they  stood  Avitli  respect  to 
the  Indians,  some  i)art  of  tlie  strikinn'  diiVei'ciice  in  the 
moral  and  military  eharaeter  of  these  various  estahlishments 
must  1)0  attributed. 

The  pe(  ]»le  of  New  Knoland  left  the  mother  country,  as 
banished  from  it  by  what  they  considered  o|>))ression  :  came 
over  foamini";  with  relitrious  and  ixtlitical  furv,  and  nari'owlv 
missed  haviuLi;  the  most  artful  and  able  of  demaL><)uues, 
Cromwell  himself,  foi-  their  leader  and  u'uide.  Tliey  mi^dit 
be  eompareil  to  lava,  discharged  by  the  fury  of  inti-rnal 
combustion,  from  the  Itosom  of  the  commonwealth,  while 
inflamed  by  contending  elements.  This  lava,  every  one 
acquainted  with  the  convulsions  of  nature  nnist  know,  takes 
a  long  time  to  cool  ;  and  when  at  length  it  is  cooled,  turns 
to  a  substance  hard  and  l)ai'i'en,  that  longivsists  the  kindly 
influence  of  the  elements,  before  its  sui'face  ri'sumes  the 
a|t})earance  of  beauty  an<l  fertility.  Such  were  the  almost 
literal  effects  of  political  convulsions,  agi>ravated  bv  a  fiei'v 
and  intoleraiit  zeal  for  theii'  own  mode  of  worshij),  on  these 
.self-rightef)us  colonists. 

These  ])reli.ninary  remai'ks  on  the  divei-sity  of  character 
in  those  TU'ighboring  pi-ovinces  lea<l  the  way,  in  the  mean 
time,  to  a  <liscrimination,  the  effects  of  which  ]\:i\v  become 
interestiiiLT  to  the  whole  world. 


CIIAPTEIl  XXI. 

DlSTINOriSIIING  ClIAUACTERISTlCS  OK  THE  NeW  YoIUv  CoLO- 

MisTS —  Huguenots  and  Palatines. 

XjUT  to  return  to  the  superior  moral  and  military  character 
of  the  New-A"ork  populace.  It  was  in  the  first  ]>lace  owing 
to  a  well-regulated  l)iety,  less  concerned  about  forms  than 
essentials.     Next,   to  an  influx  of  other  than  the  original 


; 


If 


I 


if 


i 


i 


128 


Memoirs  of  an  AxMekican  Lady, 


mi.       i 


settlers,  -whieh  tended  to  render  the  <feiier;il  system  of 
o]»iiii()n  more  libend  and  tolerant.  I'lie  French  jiroteslants, 
driven  from  their  native  land  by  intolerant  bigotry,  liad 
lived  at  home  exelndiMl  alike  from  i)nblie  enM>h>vments  and 


'P 


fash 


;ib]( 


JK 


d   of 


til  at 


isnionaoic  soeiery.  jn-piMved  ot  so  many  n-sourees 
wei'e  open  to  tlieir  fellow  snbjeets,  and  foi'ced  to  seek  com- 
I'ort  ill  jiiety  and  eoneord  formally  ]iri\ations,  self-conimaml 
and  fruiiiility  had  \k'vi\  in  a  manner  forced  u]ton  them  ; 
eonse(|Ueiitly  they  were  not  so  vaiii  or  so  volatile  as  to  dis- 
LTiist  tlii'ir  new  associates  ;  while  their  cheerful  tem])ers, 
accommodatiny;  manners,  and  jiatieiiee  under  adversity, 
were  very  prepossessing. 

Tlu'se  additional  inhabitants,  being  such  as  had  suifered 
real  and  extreme  hardships  for  conscience  sake,  from  abso- 
liiti'  tyranny  an<l  the  most  cruel  intolerance,  ri'joiced  in  the 
free  exercise  o\'  a  [lure  and  rati(»nal  religion,  and  in  the  pro- 
t('ctit»n  of  mihl  and  e(juitable  laws,  as  the  iirst  of  human 
blessings  ;  which  |iri\ation  had  so  far  taught  them  to  value, 
that  tlu'V  thought  no  exertion  too  great  to  ]»reserve  them. 
I  should  have  foruu'rly  nu'iitioiu'il,  besides  the  Freiiih 
rel'ugi'cs  already  spoki'U  of,  during  the  earliest  i)eriod  of  the 
establishment  of  the  IJritish  sovereignty  in  this  i)art  of  the 
continent,  a  great  number  of  tlie  ]»rotestaiits,  whom  the  fury 
of  war  and  persecution  on  religious  accounts  had  driven 
from  the  J*alatinate,  during  the  successful  aiul  desolating 
period  (»f  the  wars  carried  on  against  that  unhai>py  country 
by  Louis  the  Fourteenth.  The  subdued  and  conteiiti'd  spirit, 
tho  simple  and  primitive  manners,  and  frugal,  industrious 
habits  o\'  thes(!  genuine  sufferers  for  conscience  sake,  made 
them  an  acipusitiou  to  any  society  which  ri'ceived  tlu'in, 
ami  a  most  suitable  infusion  among  the  inhal)itants  of  this 
province  ;  who,  devoti'd,  to  the  pnisuits  of  agriculture  and 
till'  Indian  ti'ade,  which  encouraged  a  wild  romantie  spirit 
of  a<lventure,  little  reli^lled  those  mechanical  emi)loyments, 
or  that  i»etty  yet  necessary  traffic  in  shops,  etc.,  to  which 


. 


Mi:  Mo  ins  (»K  AN  Amkuican  Lady, 


l'2!l 


par)    of   t'M-ry   it'ijulattMl    society  iiiust   iici'ds   dcvoto  thoir 
attoutioii.     TIk'so  civic  toils  wciv  left  to  those   patient  ami 


ilK 


lustrii 


oils  exiles  ;   while  the   tVii'iiillv  iiitt'iH'oiiise  \\\ 


th   tl 


le 


orio-iiial   natives  had  stroiiu'lv  tinctured   the  first  colonists 


\\ 


ith    inanv  of  thiir  liahits  and   modes  of   thinkim 


J. ike 

them,  they  deli Lili ted  in  hunting-  ;  that  imaj^e  of  war,  which 
so  y;enerally,  wlu-re  it  is  the  prevalent  amusement,  forms 
the  hody  to  athletic  force  ami  jtatii-nt  endurance,  and  the 
mind  to  darinu"  intrepidity.  It  was  not  alone  the  tinioi'oiis 
deer  or  feehji'  hari'  that  were  the  ohjects  of  tlieir  pursuit  ; 
nor  could  they  in  such  an  impt-netrahle  country  attempt  to 
ri\al  the  fo\  in  speed  or  snlitlety.  When  they  kept  their 
"  L  w  sheep  in  the  wilderness,'"  the  she  hear,  jt'aloiis  for  her 
young',  and  the  wolf,  furious  for  prey,  were  to  be  enccumteix'd 
for  their  pi'otect ion.  From  these  ".ilies  to(t,  many  who  lived 
much  among  them  had  li'ai'ut  that  fearless  ailiiei'ence  to 
truth,  whiidi  exalts  the  mind  to  thi'  noblest  kind  of  resolu- 
tion. Till'  dangei's  they  were  exposed  to  of  meeting 
"wandeiing  individuals,  oi-  parties  of  hostile  Indians,  while 
traversing  tlu'  woods  in  their  sporting  or  commercial  atl- 
ventures,  and  the  necessity  that  sometimes  occurred  of 
defending  their  families  by  their  own  personal  ]>rowess, 
from  the  stolen  irru|>tittns  of  detached  ]>arties  of  tliose 
usually  called  the  French  Indians,  liail  also  given  their  mimls 
a  warlike  bi'nt  ;  and  as  a  boy  was  not  uncommonly  trusted 
at  nine  or  ten  years  of  age  with  a  light  fowlingj)iece,  whicli 
he  soon  learned  to  use  with  great  dexterity,  few  countries 
could  produce  such  dexterous  marksmen,  or  jiersons  so  well 
qualitied  for  coiupiering  those  natural  obstacles  of  thi(dv 
woods  and  swamps,  which  would  at  once  battie  the  most 
determined  European.  It  was  not  only  that  they  were 
strong  of  limb,  swift  of  foot,  and  exi-ellent  marksmen  — 
the  hatdu't  was  as  familiar  to  them  as  the  musket  ;  and  an 
amateur,  who  lia«l  never  cut  wood  but  for  his  diversion, 
could  hew  down  a  tree  with  a  celerity  that  would  astonish 

17 


-mimmBam 


130 


Mkmuirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


aiitl  abftsli  !i  |»r(>foss('<l  wood-ciittcr  in  tliis  cotintry  ;  in  sliort, 
wlicn  nu'iins  or  avgunK'nts  could  be  used  powerful  eiHtunh 
to  collect  a  people  so  uncontrolled  and  so  uncontrollal»le, 
and  when  headed  by  a  leader  whom  they  loved  and  tr\isted, 
!S(>  much  as  they  did  Col.  Schuyler,  a  well  armed  body  of 
New  York  provincials  had  nothing  to  dread  but  an  ague  or 
an  ambuscadi',  to  both  of  which  they  were  much  ex]»osed 
on  the  banks  of  the  lakes,  and  amidst  the  swampy  forests, 
through  which  they  h:;'l  to  penetrate  in  pursuit  of  an  enemy 
of  whom  thcymiyht  say  with  the  (Jrecian  hero,  that  "they 
wanted  but  vdaylight  to  concjuer  him."  This  first  essay  in 
arms  of  those  provincials,  under  the  auspices  of  tlieir  brave 
and  generous  leader,  succeeded  bi'yond  tlieir  hopes.  This 
is  all  I  can  recollect  of  it.  Of  its  destination  I  only  know 
that  it  was  directed  against  some  of  those  establishments 
which  the  French  began  to  make  within  the  IJritish  bound- 
aries. The  ex])edition  only  terminated  with  the  season. 
The  provincials  brought  home  Canailian  i)risoners,  who  were 
kejtt  on  their  jtarolein  the  houses  of  the  three  brothers,  and 
became  afterward^!  their  friends  ;  and  the  Five  N.-itions 
brought  home  Indian  prisoners,  most  of  whom  they  adojtted, 
and  scalps  enough  to  strike  awe  into  the  adverse  nations, 
who  were  for  a  year  or  two  afterwards  pretty  (piiet. 


;.  ! 


ClIAPTEll  XXI r. 

Adoption  of  Childkkn  commox  in  tiik  Pkovinm  k  — 
JNFaoamk's  Visit  to  Xkw  Yokk. 

iVXRS.  Schuyler  had  contributed  all  in  her  power  to  forward 
this  exj)cdition  :  but  was  |)rol)al)ly  hurt,  either  by  the 
fatigue  of  receiving  so  many  friends,  or  the  anxiety  produced 
hy  j^arting  with  them  under  such  circumstnuccs!  ^  fv*  soon 
after  the  colonel's  departure  she  was  delivered  of  a  dead 


Mkmoiks  ok  ax  a  mi:  hi  can  Lai»y, 


131 


child,  which  event  w.is  foMowcd  l»y  an  alai'iiiiii!^  ilhioss  ;  1>\it 
slic  wished  the  eohmel  to  l)e  kept  in  ignomnce  of  it,  that  lie 
nuLjht  s^ive  his  nndivided  attention  to  the  duties  in  which  he 
was  en<raf?ed.  I'rovidenci',  which  donhtless  had  sin_i;le(l  out 
this  l»ene\-olent  ]»air  to  \h'  the  parents  of  many  who  had  no 
natui'al  claim  U))on  tlicir  allectioii,  did  not  indnlj^e  them 
with  any  succeeding  prospects  of  a  family  of  their  own. 
This  privation,  not  a  fre<pient  one  in  this  colony,  did  not 
chill  the  minds  or  narrow  tlie  hearts  of  j)eo,»le,  who,  from 
this  circumstance,  found  themselves  n)ore  at  liberty  to 
extend  tln'ir  heiu-ticence,  and  eidarijed  that  circle  whicli 
end»raced  the  objects  of  thcii' love  and  cart'.  '^I'his  indeed 
was  not  singular  durint(  that  r-eiun  of  natural  feelinijt  which 
pre(H'(led  the  prevalence  of  artiticial  mo<les  in  this  primitive 
district.  The  lovi'  of  offsprinij  is  ci-rtaiidy  one  of  the 
strongest  desires  that  the  uncorrupted  mind  forms  to  itself 
in  ii  state  of  com}»arative  innocence.  Affecting  indifference 
on  this  subject  is  the  surest  )>roof  of  a  disposition  either 
callous,  or  led  by  extreme  vanity  to  pretend  insensibility  to 
the  best  feelings  of  miture. 

To  a  tie  so  v'X(piisitely  tender,  the  jiledge  and  bond  of 
connubial  union  ;  to  that  bud  of  promised  felicity,  whicli 
.always  clieers  Avitli  tlie  fragrance  of  lu)pe  the  noon-day  of 
toil  or  care,  aTid  often  supports  witli  tlie  rich  corilial  of 
filial  love  and  watchful  duty  the  evening  of  our  decline, 
what  mind  can  be  indifferent.  Xo  wonder  the  joys  of 
paternity  should  be  highly  relished  where  they  were  so 
richly  flavored  ;  where  jtarents  knew  not  what  it  was  to  find 
a  rebel  or  ii  rival  in  a  child  ;  first,  beciuse  they  set  the 
example  of  simplicity,  of  moderation,  aiul  of  seeking  their 
highest  joys  in  domestic  life  ;  next,  because  they  quietly 
expected  and  calmly  wcIcohumI  the  evening  of  life  ;  and  did 
not,  by  an  absurd  desire  of  being  yonn  -  too  long,  inspire 
their  offs))ring  with  a  premature  ambition  to  occu])y  their 
place.     What  sacrifices  have  I  not  seen  made  to  filial  Jiiety  ! 


U 


i'« 


132 


ArKMOlRS    OF    AN    AmKRK'AX   LaDY. 


How  many  rcspt'ctaldc  ((lioiiuli  not  yomiir)  inaidcns,  wlio 
widiout  iirclcniliiitj;  a  dislike  to  man-ianc,  liaxc  rejected  int'ii 
wlioiii  their  hearts  approx  (■(!,  heeaiise  I  hey  wmild  not  forsake, 
during  her  lifetime,  a  \vi(h>\ved  mother,  whose  sole  comfort- 
tliey  were  V 

For  such  ehildi'en  wlio,  that  liopes  to  y-row  ohl,  would 
not  wisli  ?  A  consideration  which  the  most  ]M>lished  man- 
ners of  Europe  teach  us  to  hanish  as  far  as  possible  from 
our  minds.  We  liave  leaiiied  to  clieck  this  natural  senti- 
nu'Ul,  l>y  finding  other  ohjects  for  those  fat-ulties  of  our 
min(is,  which  nature  intendeil  to  hless  ami  benefit  creatures 
born  to  love  us,  and  to  i-idarge  our  alVectiiuis  by  exciting 
them.  If  this  slri'iiMi,  which  so  naturally  in(dines  to  flow 
downwards,  l;appene(l  to  be  checkecl  in  its  course  for  wai  l 
of  the  usual  channel,  tliesi'  adepts  in  the  science  of  happiin  ss 
immediati'ly  foiMued  a  new  one,  and  liked  their  canal  as  wt'll 
as  a  river,  because  it  was  of  their  own  making.  To  spe:  k 
without  a  metaphor,  whoexcr  wanteil  a  i-liild  adopted  one  ; 
love  produ('e<l  lo\c,aud  the  grafted  si  ion  very  often  pro\  ed 
an  ornament  and  defense  to  the  supporting  stock.  Hut  then 
the  scion  was  generally  artless  and  yraeeful.  'Phis  is  a  part 
of  the  manners  of  my  old  friends  which  I  always  renuMiibi-r 
with  delight  ;  more  |>artieularly  as  it  was  tlu'  iuvaiiable 
custom  to  select  tlii'  child  of  a  friend  who  hail  a  uumerous 
family.  The  very  animals  are  iu)t  devoid  of  that  mixture 
of  affection  and  sagacity,  which  suggests  a  mode  of  supi»ly- 
ing  his  great  desideratum.  Next  to  that  ]>riiice  of  eats, 
the  famous  eat  of  Whittington,  I  would  place  the  cat  re- 
corded by  Dr.  White  in  his  curious  natural  history,  who 
when  deprived  of  her  young,  sought  a  parcel  of  deserted 
leverets  to  suckle  and  to  fondle.     What  an  exanij)le  ! 

The  following  year  j)ri>.lu('ed  a  suspension  of  hostilities 
between  the  provinces  and  the  Canadians.  The  colonel 
went  to  New  York  to  attend  his  duty,  being  again  chosen 
a  member  of  the  colonial  assembly.     ^Irs.  Schuyler  accom- 


t 


«L. 


■■im. 


Lv- 


lO 


T 


'ii 


^■. 


Memoirs  of  an  Amkutcan  Lai»y. 


l.']8 


|);uii('<l  liiiii  ;  mikI  bciiii;  iiijuovtMl  Itolh  in  numl  ainl  iikuiihts 
since  licr  marriiiuc,  wliicli,  l»y  ,u:iviii<f  Iht  m  mnrc  important 
|»art  ti)  act,  liail  calicW  toitli  licr  |Mt\v('rs,  she  l»ccani('  tlic 
ccnti'c  (»r  a  circle  Ity  ii<>!iu'ans  inelv'u'ant  dp  unint"i)nneil  ;  lor 
socii'ly  was  there  more  \arious  ami  more  |iolislie(l  tliaii  in 
any  other  ]»art  ol'  the  conlim-nt,  Itoth  iVom  liie  mixtnre  ol' 
settlers,  t'ormerly  (lescril»e(l,  ami  from  its  l»eini^  sitiialeil  in 
a)»rovinci'  most  li>'(|iii'nlly  tlieseat of  war,  ami  conse(|nently 
t'ormiiiLj  the  hi'atl  (piai'ters  oi'  the  army,  which,  in  point  of 
the  hirth  ami  eihication  of  the  can<li(la(es  Tor  promotion, 
was  on  a  very  difVerent  footint;^  from  what  it  has  lieen  since. 
It  was  then  a  mm-h  narrower  ran^e,  and  the  selection  more 
atti'nded  to.  Tnless  •!  man,  by  sinonlar  powers  or  talent, 
fought  liis  way  fro>  .leinferior  ranks,  there  was  hardly  an 
instanc*'  of  a  pei-son  ijjettinj;'  cNcn  a  subaltern's  commission 
whose  bii'th  was  not  at  least  n'enteel,  and  who  had  not 
interest  and  alliances.  There  was  not  so  many  IncratiNc 
])laces  nnder  n'overnment.  The  wide  field  of  adxcnt  ni'c  since 
opi'ned  in  the  Kast  was  scarcely  known  ;  a  ^!!b;d(ei'ii''s  pav 
was  more  adeipiate  to  the  maintenance  of  a  gentleman  ;  and 
the  noblest  and  most  I'cspected  families  had  no  other  way  of 
providing  foi'  snch  younn'cr  brothers,  as  were  not  bi-eil  to 
any  leai'ne(l  i)rofession  l»ut  by  throwinLC  them  into  the  army. 
As  to  morals,  this  did  not  perhaps  nun  ii  mend  the  matli'r. 
l^hese  otHcei's  might  in  some  instances  be  thoii<fhtless,  and 
even  protbii'ate,  but  tlu^y  wei'e  seldom  iyiioi'ant  or  lowbred  ; 
and  th.-it  rare  character  called  a  finished  gentleman,  was  not 
md"re<incntly  to  be  found  among  the  higher  ranks  of  them  ; 
Avho  had  added  experience,  reading,  and  refl"ction  to  theii' 
original  stock  of  talents  and  attainments. 


les 


Ml 


n- 


134 


Ari;M()iiis  OK  AN  Amkrii'an  Lady. 


cnAiTKi:  win. 

('ol,(».NKI,  S(  IIIVI.KIj's   .MlMIAKV    I 'a  KTI  A  1,1  TV  InIMAN 

ClIAIIArri;!;    lAI.SKI.^'  (  IIAIK.i:!)   WITH    I  lU.KNKSS. 

L'V  so  li;i|i|i('ii('(I  llial  ;i  siicccssiuii  of  olliccis,  (if  the  (IcsiTip- 
lidii  iiK'iili(iiic<l  ill  tlic  iiri'ccdiiii; cliaplcr,  wiTc  tn  ln'onU'ivd 
ii|ti)ii  ilic  scrv  ice  wliicli  I  Ii.nc  Ix'cii  (Ictuiliiig  ;  Mini  wlu'tlu'r 
ill  New  Vnrk  or  iit  Iioiik',  tlicy  alwiiys  .•ittacliiMl  tlu'iiist'lvcs 
pavlicularly  tn  tliis  family,  wiio,  t<»  tlu'  attractions  of  tjood 
Itrccdiiit;  and  easy  iiitt'lli^ciit  conversation,  added  tlie 
power,  wliicli  tliey  |»rei'miiK'iitly  possessecl,  of  sniootliiiii^ 
the  way  for  tlieir  necessary  inti'rconrse  with  the  iiide|>endent 
and  self- righted  settlers,  and  instructing;  them  in  many 
thiii<fs  essential  to  |iroinote  the  success  of  the  |>ursuits  in 
which  they  were  about  (o  eiiirau'e.  It  was  one  of  aunt 
Scliuyler's  many  singular  merits,  that,  after  acting  for  a 
time  a  distinguished  part  in  thiscomi>arativ(dy  refined  society, 
where  few  were  so  much  admired  and  esteemeil,  she  could 
return  to  the  homely  good  sense  and  pi'imitive  manners  of 
her  fellow  citi/.eiis  at  Albany,  free  from  fastidiousness  and 
disgust.  Few  indeed,  without  study  or  design,  ever  betti'r 
understood  tlie  art  of  being  lia|»i)y,  and  making  others  so. 
Ueiiiir  tr-'iv  is  anotiier  sort  of  thing  ;  tiaii'tv,  as  tlic  word  is 
understood  in  society,  is  too  often  assuinecl,  artificial,  and 
produced  by  such  an  elfort,  that  in  the  midst  of  laugliter, 
"the  heart  is  indeed  sad."  \'ery  different  are  the  smiles 
that  occasionally  illume  the  )>lacid  countenance  of  clieerful 
tran(iuility.  They  are  the  em  mations  of  a  heart  at  rest  : 
in  the  t'lijoyment  of  that  sunsliine  of  the  breast,  whicli  is 
set  forever  to  tlu'  restless  votaries  of  mere  atniisement. 

According  t<»tlu'  laudable  custom  of  tlie  country  they  took 
liome  a  child,  whose  mother  had  died  in  giving  her  birth, 
and  wliosc  father  was  a  relation  of  tlie  colonel's.  This 
child's  name  was  either  Schuyler  or  Cnyler,  I  do  not  exactly 


n 


Y 


Nri'MulltS   Ol"   AN    Amkkk'an    Lady 


V]h 


vv 
o. 
is 
id 

!•> 
'S 

ul 

is 


lis 


'^i 


n'tiU'inlxT  wliicli  ;  l»iit  I  i(iiiciiil»i'r  Iicr  inaiiy  y«':irs  at'lcr  as 
Mrs.  N'ainU'f  INioIcii  ;  when,  as  a  ciniicly  cinitfiitcil  luxkiiiLC 
matron,  she  usimI  to  |>ay  hcrannnal  visit  to  jut  iK'nd'actit'ss, 
antl  scml  licr  ample  |ii'esents  of  siicli  rural  dainties  as  lier 
a1»o(le  all'ordeil.  I  have  otten  heanl  her  wai'in  in  hei-  piaises  ; 
sayint;  how  useful,  how  mol|e^t,  ami  how  allectionate  she 
hail  been  ;  and  exnltini;  in  her  eonifoitalde  settlement,  and 
tht*  plain  worth,  which  made  her  a  l>lessinif  to  her  family. 
From  this  time  to  her  aunt's  death,  aliove  tifty  years  aftei-- 
wards,  her  house  was  ne\-er  without  one,  hut  mindi  oftener 
two  children,  whom  this  exemplary  pair  educateil  with 
j)iirental  I'are  and  kindness.  And  whenever  one  of  their 
|)rotetres  marrii'd  out  of  the  house,  which  was  oi.iicially  at 
a  very  earlv  aije,  she  carried  w  ith  her  a  femali'  slave,  horn 
and  hapti/ed  in  the  house,  and  l»rout;ht  up  with  a  tliorounh 
knowledge  of  her  duty,  and  an  hahitual  attachment  to  her 
mistress  ;  hesides  the  usual  pi'esent  of  the  furniture  of  a 
chiunher,  and  a  piece  of  plate,  such  as  a  tea-pot,  tankard, 
or  some  sucli  useful  matter,  which  was  more  or  less  valuable 
as  the  prut('f2[e  was  more  or  less  In-loved  :  for  though  aunt 
Sehuy!er  had  threat  satisfaction  from  the  characters  and 
comluct  of  all  her  adoptecl,  th're  weiv,  no  doubt,  dcLjrees 
of  merit  amonij;  them,  of  which  she  was  better  able  to  judi^e 
than  if  she  had  been  their  actual  mother. 

There  was  now  an  interval  of  ]»eace,  which  ;:>ave  tlu'sc^ 
jdiilanthi'opists  more  U-isnre  to  do  good  in  their  own  way. 
They  held  a  three-fold  band  of  kinilness  in  their  hands,  by 
wliich  they  led  to  tlie  desirable  purpose  of  mutual  advantage, 
three  very  disroi-dant  elenu'uts,  which  were  daily  becoming 
nH)re  ditlicult  to  mingle  and  to  rule  ;  and  which  yet  were 
the  more  dependent  on  each  other  formutual  eond"oi-t,  fi"om 
the  very  causes  which  tended  to  disunite  them. 

In  the  tirst  i)hi'e,  the  Indians  Ix'gan  to  assnnu'  that  unfavor- 
able and  uncei'tain  aspect,  wliich  it  is  the  fate  of  man  to 
wear 'n  tlie  tirst  steps  of  his  jirogress  from  that  state  where 


II 


^ 


!/ 


i  i  i 


\:M] 


AfiiMoiHs  OF  AN  Amkiiu'a.v  Lady. 


lie  is  ;i  hciiiLj  at  once  warlike  ami  social,  liavini^  lew  wants, 
and  l)(>iii^'  al)l(',  witlioiit  constant  lalioroi-  division  of  ranks, 
to  sn|iply  llicni;  where  there  is  no  distinction,  save  that 
attained  I, y  superior  stren^'lh  ol'  mind  and  hody  ;  and  where 
there  are  no  laws,  Init  those  dictate(|  hy  jrood  sense,  aided 
liy  experience,  and  enl'orcetl  l»y  all'i'ction,  this  state  of  Tde 
niav  he  trnlvealle<l  the  reii^n  of  the  alVect ions  :  the  love 
of  kindi'cd  and  of  country  rulin;;'  paramount,  ninivalied  hy 
other  |iassions,  all  others  IteluL''  made  snhservient  to  these. 
\  anity,  intleed,  was  in  st»me  det^ree  flattered  ;  for  people 
woic  ornaments,  and  were  at  no  small  pains  to  make  them, 
i'ride  e\iste<l  :  liut  was  differently  modifie<l  from  what  we 
see  it  ;  every  man  was  proud  of  the  piowess  and  achieve- 
nu'nts  of  histrihe  collectively;  of  his  personal  virtues  he 
was  .  ol  proud,  hecanse  we  excel  hut  hy  comparison  ;  anil 
he  rarely  saw  instan«'i's  of  fheoppftsite  vices  in  his  own 
nation,  ;ind  lookeil  on  others  with  unipialilied  contempt. 

When  ;iny  puhlie  Itenelit  was  to  he  ohtained,  or  any  piih- 
lic  danger  to  he  averted,  their  mutual  e(fo!-ts  were  all  hent 
to  on(^  eml  ;  an<l  no  one  knew  what  it  was  to  withhold  his 
utmost  aid,  n<U'  indeed  could  in  that  staLje  of  society  have 
any  motive  fcu' doiiii;' so.  Hence,  no  mind  hi'iny;  conti'acteil 
1)V  selfish  cares,  the  conimunit  v  were  hut  as  oiu'  larii'e  familv, 
who  enioved  or  sufVered  tosxether.  We  are  accustomed  to 
t.ilk,  in  parrot  phrase,  of  indolent  savages  ;  and  to  he  sure, 
in  warm  clim.ates,  and  where  the  state  of  man  is  truly  sa- 
vage, that  is  to  say,  unsocial,  void  of  virtue  and  void  of 
comforts,  he  is  ci'rt.aiidy  an  indolent  heing  ;  but  that  indi- 
vidual, in  a  cold  clim.ate,  who  has  tasted  the  sweets  of  social 
life,  who  knows  tlu'  wants  that  arise  from  it,  who  provides 
for  his  children  in  their  heli)less  state,  and  wlu'i'c  taste  and 
ingenuity  ari'  so  much  improved,  that  his  pe -son  is  not  only 
elothetl  with  warm  and  seemly  apparel,  hal  decorated  with 
numerous  and  not  inelegant  oi'uanients  ;  which  from  the 
scarcity  and  simplicity  of  his  tools,  he  has  no  ready  or  easy 


^» 


Mi;.M(»iiis  ui'  AN   A.MKHU'AN   Lahy. 


137 


Mli 


4,* 


iiiDilc  of  pi'oiliiciiiL;  :  wlicii  lit'  liiis  nut  mily  IhhikI  out  all 
tlicsf  wants,  wliicli  lie  has  nu  means  ul'  sii|i|il\  inij  luit  l»y 
Ills  indixiilnal  strcnirtli,  <l('Xt('i'it y,  an<l  in^fnnily,  imlnstry 
Minst  !>(' a<|ilc(|,  ere  tlicy  can  he  all  rcifniarly  ;^r!it  ilicil.  N'cry 
ai't'uc  ami  industrions,  in  fact,  tlic  Imlians  were  in  their 
(»rii;iiial  stale  ;  and  when  we  laki'  it  into  cunsiileratidn,  that 
heside  all  these  necnpat  inns,  tnujelher  with  tlieii'  h>ii<r 
jiMirneys,  wars  and  constant  hnntinifs  and  lishini;,  their 
leisure  was  (iccn|tied  not  only  hy  athletic  hut  studious 
ufanies,  at  which  they  played  foi'days  loifether  with  miheard 
of  eaLjerness  and  perseverance,  it  will  appear  they  had  very 
little  of  that  lounL;iny  time,  I'lU*  which  we  are  so  a|>t  t»»  ui\e 
them  ci-edit.  <  >!•  ii'  a  ehiei"  occasionally  alter  I'atin'ue,  ol" 
which  we  can  I'orni  no  aile<piale  iilea,  lay  silent  in  I  lie  shade, 
those  I'riskinij  Frenchmen  who  have  tfivcn  us  most  details 
coiicerniiii;  them,  were  too  restless  themsehcs  to  sulidne 
their  skippiny;  spirits  to  the  recollection,  that  a  Mohawk  had 
no  study  or  arm  chair  wlu-reiu  to  muse  and  coeitate  ;  and 
that  his  sclu'nies  of  pati'iotisni,  his  plans  of  war,  and  his 
eliKpii  nl  speeches,  were  all  like  the  meditalions  of  .lacipies, 
t'ormed  "  under  tin-  tureen  wood  tice,'"  Neither  could  any 
niiiii  lountfe  on  his  sola,  while  half  a  dozen  others  were 
emph)yed  in  shearinti;  the  sheep,  |)i'e]»arinn'  the  wool,  weav- 
iiiLj  and  makiiiu;  his  coat,  or  in  plantiui;  the  tlax  lor  his 
future    linen,   antl    fhiviuix    the    ox    for    his    future    sin 


were 


to    do    a 


tlii> 


iiimst 


If,    1 


le    would 


lia\  (; 


)es  ; 
little 


k'isuiv    for  study   o'"  repose.     .And   all    this   and   moi'e   the 


Indian  did,  under  other  names  and  f(tl■m^ 


that  idl 


eiiess. 


with  its  ii'looinv  followers  CH/it//'  n\u\  suicide,  were  unknown 
anuuig  this  truly  active  |)e<»ple  ;  yet  that  there  is  a  higher 
state  of  society  cannot  he  denied  ;  nor  can  it  he  denii'd 
that  the  intei'mediate  state  is  a  painful  and  enfeehlinif  one. 
."Man,  in  a  stati'  of  nature,  is  tauu'ht  hy  his  mort!  civili/ed 
bretliren  a  thousand  new  wants  Ixl'ore  he  learns  to  supjdy 

^vhicli   in  the  fii'sl  static 


one 


T] 


lenee 


arter 


tak 


es  |)lac( 


18 


U 


1  1 


ilii  ! 


l;{s 


MllMUlHS    OF    AN    AmKHICAN    LaI»Y 


of  ))n>tj;r('ssi()ii  is  miivt'rsally  fatal  to  tlic  lilxTty,  tlic  spiiit, 
and  till'  comforts  of  an  nncivilizrd  |n.'o|tli'. 

In  tlu'  cast,  wliiTc  the  cradli'  of  onr  infant  nature  was 
a|>|»'int(Ml,  till'  rlinu'  was  Lji'nial,  its  productions  altundant, 
and  its  winters  only  sutlicicnt  to  consume  tlic  surjilus,  and 


trivc    a  W( 


mc  vain 


tv   to  tl 


ic  seasons. 


Tl 


lei'c  man   was 


either  a  slieplierd  or  a  liunti'r,  as  his  dis|>osition  led  ;  and 
that  perhaps  in  the  same  family.  The  meek  spirit  of  .lacoh 
diTiLfhted  in  tendinis;  his  father's  flocks  ;  while  the  more 
darinu"  and  a^iventnions  I']sau  traced  the  wilds  of  Mount 
Seir,  in  pursuit  holh  of  tlu'  tiercer  animals  who  waycd  war 
upon  the  fold,  and  the  more  timorous  who  administen-d  to 
the  luxury  of  the  tal»K'. 

The  progress  of  civilization  was  heri'  yradnal  and  ycntle  ; 
a'ld  tlu'  elcLTant  arts  seem  to  have  >>-one  hand  in  hand  with 
the  useful  ones.  l*\)r  we  reail  of  bracelets  ami  I'ar-rinys 
sent  as  tokens  of  love,  and  images  hinhly  valued  am!  -oveted  ; 
while  even  a<;riculturi'  seemed  in  its  infancv. 


(  lIAPTKIi  XXIV. 

T*i;o(;ijKss  oi'  Civil. i/Aiiov  in  K.ri;(»PK. 

1  OrrLATlON  extending-  lo  tin-  milder  re«>i<.ns  of 
Europe,  brouoht  civilization  along  with  it  ;  so  that  it  is 
oidv  amouLT  the  savages  (as  we  call  our  anci'stors  of  tlie 
noi'th)  that  we  can  ti'ace  the  internu'diate  stati'  I  have  spoken 
of.  Amongst  them,  one  reg'ular  gradation  set'ins  to  have 
taken  place  ;  they  wi'ie  tirst  hunters  and  tlu'n  warriors. 
As  thev  a<lvanced  in  their  knowledge  of  the  arts  of  life,  ami 
ac(piired  a  littli'  pi-ojierty,  as  much  of  ]>astoral  pJirsuits  as 
their  rigt>rous  climate  wtndd  allow,  without  the  aid  of  re- 
gular agriculturi',  mingled  with  tlu'ir  wandeiing  habits. 
Hut,  except   in  a  few  partial  instances,  from  iiui>ters  they 


^» 


i 


Mkmoiks  ok  ax   Amkhk'an  Laky 


1.'}') 


ft^ 


I 

i 


bcciimc  (•(»ii(|ii('ritrs  :  (he  \v;uTik(-  liahits  ,'ic(|iiir('(l  from  tliat 
mode  (>r  lifV  riiisinijf  tlicir  ininds  ;iln)vt'  piiticnt.  indiisfiy, 
Jind  ti'Mcliiiiij  tlicni  lo  despise  the  softer  ;irts  fliMf  einl»ellisli 
society.  In  tine,  tlieir  iismmI  process  \v;is  to  pass  |ociviliz;i- 
tion  tliroiiu'li  the  medium  of  compiesl.     The  poet  says, 

"  With  iioliie  scorn  tlir  first  tiun'<l  Ciito  vitiwi'd 

Hniiu;  loaniiii};  arts  tVoiii  (iicijoc  wliicli  hIk;  Hiil»(hi<'(l." 

The  surly  censor  miyht  have  spared  his  scorn,  Tor  (h)ul)f- 
h'ss  sciei!(  ",  and  tiie  arts  of  peaci'  were  l>y  far  tlie  most 
vahial»K' aci|uisitioMs  resultinii'  fnim  t Iieir  con<piest.  of  that. 
|t<tlislied  and  ingenious  peoph\  I>ul  when  the  savai:;(} 
hunters  <il'  the  north  became  too  numerous  to  subsist  on 
tlieir  dt>er  and  lish,  and  loo  warlike  t,o  dread  the  contlict 
with  troops  more  reL![nlarly  arme(I,  they  rushed  (h>wn,  like 
a  <ataract,  on  their  eid'eelile(l  and  voluptuous  neighbors; 
<lestroye(l  the  monuments  of  art,  and  seenu'd  for  a  tinu-  to 
chanjjje  the  vei-y  face  of  nature.  Vet  drea<lfnl  as  were  the 
devastations  of  this  Hood,  let  forth  by  divine  vensjcaniu!  to 
punish  and  to  renovate,  it  had  its  use  in  sweeping  away  the 
hoarde(|  mass  of  corruplion  with  wh.ich  the  dregs  of  man- 
kind had  pollute<l  the  earth.  It  was  an  awful,  but  a  need- 
ful process  ;  which,  in  some  foi'ui  or  other,  is  always  renewed 
when  human  degeneracy  has  reacheil  its  ullimatiim.  'I'he 
destruction  of  those  fi'cblc  beings,  who,  lost  to  every  manly 
and  virtuous  sentiment,  ci'awl  about,  the  rich  j)ro|K'rty 
which  they  h.ave  not  sense  to  use  woithily,  or  sj»irit  to  defend 
manfidly,  may  ite  compared  to  the  etl'ort  nature  makes  to 
rid  lierself  of  the  noxious  bi'ood  of  wasj)s  and  slugs,  cher- 
ishe<l  by  succi'ssive  mild  winters.  A  dreadful  frost  comes  ; 
man  sulTers,  and  com])lains  ;  his  subject  animals  sutler  more, 
a'ld  all  his  works  ai'c  for  a  time  suspended  :  but  this  salu- 
tary infliction  purities  (he  air,  meliorates  the  soil  and  destroys 
millions  of  lurking  enemies,  wh(»  would  otherwise  liave 
consumed  the  productions  of  the  earth,  and  deformed  the 
fact'  of  nature.     In  these  barbarous  irru[)tions,  the  uionii- 


\  ii 


m 


l»M 


r 


140 


Mk.moiks  of  an   Amkuican   Lady, 


iiu'iilsof  ;irl,  slahu's,  iticttircs,  t('m|ih's,  :iimI  |>:i1m('«'s,  si'cm 
to  l>t'  most  I:iiiu'ii1cil.  I'^roiii  Mii'c  to  aoc  tin-  vii'luosi  of 
I'vcry  country  liavc  rct'clKK-d  to  I'licii  otluT  tlioir  tcrltlc 
|>l:iiiits  nvci-  the  lost  works  of  jirt  ;  :is  if  tliat  li:i<l  Ixcii  tlic 
lic.'ivicst  sorrow  in  tlio  ijt'ncrMl  wii'ck  ;  :iii<l  ;is  if  tlic  powers 
tliiit  jinxliiccil  tlu'iii  liad  ccmsimI  to  exist.  It  is  over  the 
(lerjU'cM  iiiinm'  ol"  tlie  divine  Author,  ;inil  not  nieicly  the 
niutilateil  resenildiinee  of  his  creatures,  tliat  the  wise  and 
virtuous  sliouM  lanuMit  !  Wv  are  tohl  thai  in  IJonie  thei'e 
were  as  many  statues  as  men  :  hail  all  tiu'se  lamented 
slat nes  l)ei'n  |ireservt'd  would  the  world  he  much  wiser  or 
ha|»|tierV  a  sullicient  mimlter  remain  as  models  to  future 
statuaries,  and  memorials  of  de|>arte<l  art  and  yeuius. 
\N'i'alth,  direcliMl  l>v  taste  and  liheralitv,  may  he  much 
lietti'r  emitjoved  in  calliu!''  forth,  hy  due  encoura<i;emenl, 
that  genius  which  tlouhtiess  exists  anwt^ijjc  our  eotempora- 
ries,  than   in  ]»ayin«:;  exorhitantly  the  vei'.der  (>f  fratj;ments. 

"  Mind,  mind  iilono,  bcur  witncsH  ciirtli  and  licav'ii ! 
Tlu"  liviiifT  t'ountiiins  in  itself  contains 
Of  bcaiitcons  and  siddinic." 

And  wliat  has  mind  achit'ved,  that,  in  a  fav(tral»le  eon- 
junclure,  it  n\iuht  not  ai;ain  as|>iri'  to  V  The  lost  arts  are 
ever  tlu'  theme  of  classical  lanu'iitalion  ;  hut  the  ifreat.  and 
real  i'\  il  was  the  loss  of  the  viitues  which  jirotecti'd  them  ; 
of  couraiiji',  ''*'"' ''""'^S  honor,  ami  ]»atriotism  ;  in  short,  of 
the  whoK'  manly  i-hai'acter.  M'his  must  be  allowed,  after 
the  dreailful  lem|»est  of  suhversion  was  over,  to  have  been 
in  some  dt'i;ree  restored  in  the  days  of  chivalry  :  and  it  is 
equally  certain  that  the  victors  learnt  from  the  van(|uished 
many  of  the  ai'ts  that  support  life,  and  all  those  which  em- 
hellish  it.  \Vhen  their  manni'rs  were  softeiu'd  hy  the  aid 
of  il  mild  and  charitable  ridiyion,  this  blended  people  assumed 
that  nndetined  power,  dei'ived  from  superior  valor  and 
superior  wisdom,  which  has  so  far  exalted  Kui'ope  over  all 
the  regions  of  the  earth.     Thus,  where  a  bold  ami  wai'likc 


V 


••" .  "■vmumwi'wn.'i.'wMa 


■K 


-If 


Memoirs  of  an   AiVKKicxN  Laj»v.  141 

people  siilxliie  ;i  vi)lii|»t iioiis  aiwl   efTeiiiiiiMle  one,  tlie   icsiilt. 
is,  ill  due   time,  an  iiii|troveiiieiil  of  iiation:il  eliaractiT.      In 
siiiiliar   clinies  and  cirenmslaiKH's  to  those  of   tlie   piiiiieval 
nations  in  the  other  lieniisphei*',  tlie  ease  lias  Iteeii  \(  ly  <lit"- 
Tereiit.      There,    loo,    the    hunter,    hy    the    same    gradation 
iK'eaine  a  warrior  ;  Init  lirst  alhired  l»y  the  I'i'iendsiiip  which 
soiio-Iii  his  protection  ;   then  repelle(l  liy  the  art  that  coveted 
ami  eiicroacheil  on  his  territories  ;   and  lastly  l»y  lhea\arice 
that  taiiii'ht  him  new  wants,  and  then  took  an  niidiie  aihanl- 
aj4'e  of  them  ;  they  m-ither  wishecl  for  our  siipertlnities,  nor 
envied  onr  mode  of  life  ;   nor  did  oiir  eiieroachmeiils   iiineli 
distiirh  (Ik'Iii,  as  they  receded  into  (heir  trackless  coscrts  as 
wi'  approaehecl  from  the  coast.      Uiil    thonuli    they  scoine(l 
our  relineiiieiits  ;   and  thonn'h  onr  u;overniiieiit,  and  ail    tlii' 
eiiliyhtenecl  mindsainonyst  us,  dealt  caiidi<llv  and  n'eiieiouslv 
with  all  siwli  as  were  not  set  on  liy  oiir  enemies  to  injiire  us, 
till'    hliylit    ol"    iMiropean    vices,    the    mere    eoiisiMpieiiee    (d' 
private  ifreetliness  and  fraud,  pro\  (•<!  fatal  to  our  vei-y  f''i;  ;ids. 
As  I    formerly  oliserved,  the  nature  of   the  climate  <lid    not 
a<lmit    of   the  warriors   passiiijf   thioiiuli  the   medium   of  n 
shepherd's   life   to  the   toils    of  agriculture.     'I'lie   climate, 
tliouji'li  extremely  warm  in  summer,  was  so  severe  in  winter, 
and  that  winter  was  so  lonj^,  that  it  rcpiired  no  little  labor 
to  secure  the  fooil  for  the  animals  which  wert-  to  he  main- 
tained ;  and  no   small    e\|»ense   in  that    country  to   procure 
the    iin|>lemeuts   necessary   for  the   |)urpose  of  aj^rieulture. 
In  other  countries,  when  a  poor  man  has  not  wherewithal  to 
bei^in  farinitin-,  he   serves   another  ;  and  the    reward  of   liis 
toil  eiiahles  him  to  set  up  for   himself.      No   such    resource 
was  open  to   the    Indians,  had   they  even    in<Tnie(l  to  adopt 
our   modes.      No    Indian   cNcr   served    another,  or  icceived 
fissistaiice    from    ar.y  one   except  his   own  family.     'Tis    iii- 
coneeivahle,  too,  what  a  dilTereiit  kind  of  exertion  of  st  rent>;tli 
it    re<piires    to    cultivate    the    ti'round,   and    to    endure   tlu^ 
fatigues  of  the  chase,  long  journeys,  etc.     To  all  that  iuduces 


\M  t| 


•• 


l\-2 


MliMdlliS    (»!■'    AN     AmKKK'AN     \j.\U\ 


rif 


itmi 


m 


us  to  hiltor  tlicy  wcic  iiKlilTcrciil.  NN'licn  a  liovcnior  of 
New  ^  tnU  was  (IrsciilMiiLr  I"  an  Indian  (lie  ail\  aniaujcs  tliat 
some  ont'  wonltl  dcrivt'  iVoni  sncli  and  sncli  iinsscssions  ; 
"  W'liy,"  said  lie,  willi  cn  idcnt  snr|>risc,  "  should  any  man 
di'sirc  lo  possess  niort'  tlian  lie  uses  ":'"'  Alorc  a|>|i('art'(l  lo  his 
unluloiH'd  sens*'  an  incnndn'aiu'c. 

I  have  alicady  oliscix  cd  Iiow  innch  ha|i|iit'r  they  consid- 
ered I  lieir  manner  o("  li\  iiiL;-  llian  onrs  ;  yet  t  h«'ir  intereourse 
w  i(  li  us  daily  dimiiiishe<l  tlieir  in(h|ieu(h'n('e,  (heir  ha|>]>iness, 
and  e\en  their  numheis.  In  the  new  world  this  fatality  has 
never  failed  to  follow  I  he  int  iodu«'t  ion  of  lMiro|iean  settlers  ; 
who,  insteati  of  civ  ili/,in<;"  and  improving",  slowly  consume 
and  w  aste  ;  w  here  they  do  not,  I iUe  I  he  Spaniards,  al»soIuleIy 
destroy  and  exit'rminale  the  natixcs.  'I'lu-  very  nature  of 
cMii  oui'  most  friendly  mode  of  dealinn' w  ith  them  was  per- 
niiioiis  to  theii'  moral  welfare  ;  which,  llionnh  too  lale,  lln-y 
well  understood,  and  could  as  well  explain.  I'nlutore*!  man, 
m  lie^inninn'  to  depart  from  t  hat  life  of  exiu'encies,  in  w  hich 
the  superior  acutenes^  of  his  senses,  his  lleetiu'ss  and  de\- 
ti'rity  in  the  clias**,  are  his  ciru'f  dependence,  loses  so  nuivli 
of  all  this  hefore  hi'  can  heconie  accustomed  to,  or  tpialitied 
for  our  mode  of  procuiiiiL!,"  food  Ity  patient  lahor,  that  notliini;' 
can  l)e  conceixeil  more  eufecided  and  f(M'lorn  tliaii  the  stale 
iA'  the  few  detached  families  remainini;' of  vanished  triln's, 
who  iia\  iuLj-  lost  'heir  enerey,  and  e\en  the  wish  lo  live  in 
their  own  mamu'r,  were  slow  ly  and  nductantly  heeimiint^  lo 
adopt  ours.  It  was  like  that  suspi'usion  of  life  which  takes 
place  in  tlu'  chrysalis  of  insi'cts,  while  in  their  proi^ress 
towards  a  ni'W  st.ite  of  heinif.  .Mas  !  the  in(h)kMU"e  witli 
which  we  re|>roach  thi'in,  was  merely  the  (•onsecpu'iice  of 
tlieir  conunercial  intercourse  wi»Ii  us  ;  and  the  fatal  passion 
for  slri>nii'  liipiors  which  resulted  from  it.  As  the  fabled 
enchanter,  Ity  w  a\  in^  his  maijic"  wand,  chains  up  at  once  tlio 
faculties  of  his  op|»oin'nts,  and  renders  streneth  and  courage 
usi'less  ;  the  most  w  ri'tcheil  and  sordid  trader,  j)o.ssossod  of 


•?> 


Ml'.MdlKS    ((K    AN     AMKltK'AN     LaDV. 


II;'. 


this  iiiastcr-kcy  (<•  llit'  ;i|i|i('lilfs  ;iii<l  |>assi<»iis  of  tlicsc  lianl- 
r.'itcd  ]tc<)|»l(',  foiiM  disiiriii  tlmsc  lie  iIcmII  willi  nl"  nil  tlicir 
rcsdiircrs,  mill  rciHlcr  tliciii  <I('|>(>ii(l('iit  mmv  (l('|>cii<l('iit  <>ii 
tliosc  llicy  s((inu'<l  iiimI  liiitcil.  Tlic  pidccss  \\:is  siiii|il('  ; 
lirsl,  the  |Mi\vt'f  of  sciidiiiLr,  l>v  iiiiinic  tliiiii<lt'r,  :iii  liiisccii 
<lc:i<li  to  ;i  (list;iMt  I'nc,  wliicli  I'lllcd  tlic  sni'tci-  iiili:il)it:iiit.s  of 
tlic  siiiitlimi  regions  willi  so  iniicli  tnidr,  wms  Ihit  iiicrciv 
ail  <iltj('cl  (if  tlcsiic  aiitl  ('iiiulatinii  ;  ami  so  eagerly  iIkI  liny 
a<lo]>l  llic  use  of  tire  anus,  tliat  llicv  soon  liccaiiir  less  cx- 
|i('n  ill  iisiiiLj  tlicir  own  inissilc  \v('a|M>iis.  'Ilicy  coiiM  still 
throw  the  tomahawk  with  such  an  niicniii!^  aim,  that, 
thoiinh  it  w<'iil  circlini;'  through  the  air  towaitis  its  oltjccl, 
it  ncxcr  failed  to  reach  it.  ISiit  the  arrows,  on  which  they 
had  rorinerlv  so  much  de|teiideil,  were  now  consi<lere  ■ 
merelv  as  the  weaiMiiis  of  hoys,  and  only  iliiccled  aiiainst 
Itirds. 

'rinis  was  one  stroiii;"  link  loiocd  in  tlu'  chain  of  de|ieiid- 
eiice  ;  next,  li<|iior  hecanie  a  necessary,  and  its  fatal  elVe<'ts 
\yho  can  detail  !  UmI  t<»inake  it  still  clearer,  I  haye  iiieiil  ioned 
the  |)assi(»ii  for  dress,  in  which  all  the  |»ride  and  yanily  of 
this  ]>eo|ile  was  centred.  In  former  days  this  lia<l  the  hest 
elTecl,  in  IteiiiLi;  a  stimulus  to  industiy.  'i'lie  proyision  re- 
(juisile  for  makintj^  a  splemlid  a|»|K'arance  at  the  winter 
ineetinj^s  for  huiitin<;  and  the  national  congress,  occupied 
the  leisure  hours  of  the  whole  summer.  'I'lie  heaver  skins 
of  the  last  year's  huiiliiii;' were  to  he  accurately  dresscil,  and 
sewed  tou'ether,  to  form  that  mantle  which  was  as  much 
valued,  ainl  as  necessary  to  their  cons(M|uence,  as  the|ielice 


of  sahles  to  that  of  an  eastern  Itaslnn 


.\d 


eer  skin,  or 


thai 


of  a  hear,  or  heayer,  had  their  stateil  luice.  The  boldest, 
and  most  expert  hunter  had  most  of  these  commodities  to 
spare,  and  was  therefore  most  splendidly  arrayed.  If  he 
had  ;i  rival,  it  was  in  him  whose  dexterous  ingenuity  in 
fabricatini;  the  materials  of  which  his  own  dress  was  com- 
post'd,  enabled  him  to  vie  with  tlu;  hero  of  the  chase. 


t  ii 


Tl 


Mi\ii«",us   ov    \\    Amihh'w   |,\ii\ 


\n'j  -u))!'!  i«»r  <'l' 


oMni'i'    in  ' 


Irc'^j  w  ;i'j    nul .  ;1'j  v\  i(  Ii    m,  ( lit 


.Ir.l  lll.l  i.'ll    ol     till'  lllMIM.'ll  i    illl.l  ('(VlMllill.lli.  I>lll     (  lie  |il  i\  lltMH' 

Miiil  ii'\\;ii<l  i>r  '-npi'iiii    r.nii.H'c  mill    niclii'jtiv    ,    iiiiil  Ixtiiiiic 
:iu  kIijc.I  w  .>i  I  )•  \  i>t   ii>iii|>('l  i(  imi         riiir-  I'liiplov  rd,  iiinl  ( liiM 
ii.l.Mncii,  ill'        i.Ihmii  iM    111  :    liiiMiil'^  lunml    lillii'  liiii<>   In  in 
•  IiiUm'    tix'    '-in|M.I    111(1. 'It'iitc    \\t'    li;i\<>    liocii    MccnsI  tininl   In 
inn»nlt'  (<>  1 1nni. 

Vn.MlltM  Mlillixils  \:[^\y  H'ni:iniN  llll<  ;llriil:i(  cl  Ki'l  nii' I  lli'\ 
l>i'<:inii'  il('|>('n.lrnl  mi  ii'-  I>m  lln'  inciiir-  ol  <|.'^l  i  in  1  inn.  iiiinli 
Iinic  w  :is  (Mii^iinicil  in  l.niniiK',  llicn  w  i';i|ii<ii^  ;  in  lln'  coii 
still. '11. Ml  .'I  w  111.  Ii  ni>  li'^'J  |>:i1  iiMiic  Mini  iiHM'niiit\  were 
o\iM'.isi'.l  ili.in  III  lli.ll  >>l  llicir  .nininn'iils  :  Mini  lln>'^i'  t.xi 
w  t'li"  liK'lih   iMiil'cllisln'.l.  Mini  iinnln  \\i(li  mh'mI    hil'or  .ml   nl 


W 


inl  s,  pi'liMi's  Mil 


.li.'ll- 


>n1   mII    IIii^   ^ 


\  s(  cm   i>l    ('iii| 


Mt>\ 


ni.Mil  w  IS  s.icn  i>\  I'll  111  nc.l  1>\  lln'ii  ImIi'  Mi'i|iiMinl  Mini-  willi 
tl,.'  in^nli.Mis  Mils  .>l  l'"iii.>|n'  ;  l.i  llic  use  ..|'  \\ln<>('  niMiinrMi' 
tui»"'«  lln'\  w.Tt'  insi'ii'^iMv  .Iimwii  in.  liisi  1»\  ilmir  |>M^s:iim 
i.M  lilt'  Mini>>.  Mii.l  liiiMlh  1>\  ihcir  ImImI  M|i|>(>lili'  tHr  li.nn>r. 
r.'  iiimK.'  tills  nn>ri>  .'IcMr.  I  ^IimII  iii'-.Ml  m  i1imI.><'.ii<\  micIi  M'j, 
il  ii.>l  IhimmUn.  mi  IcmsI  in  snlisiMint'.  nii.'lil   jims'^  l>i>!\\i\l  mu 


lll.l 


IMll    \\  Mil  I.M     Mini    M    I  1  M.ltM 


a 


1mm.  rVNPKN.  V   <M-    nil      KlMWs    ll.>\\     IIIJM     PlMIMslllP. 


hlU. 


W 


K(^rin".K.  1  Mill   ciMin'  to  (iM.lo    ^illi  \o\\ 


n.nvMru    \.Mi  !.<  hi'   iinn-c   iin>.l(MMlt'  in    \  our  di'iiiMinls 


Iml   1 

tliMU  I.mhumIv. 

7)'<tif(  1'.       Wlw.  Inollior.  MiiMioI  ni\    ^oods  <>!' ('(piMl  \  mIiio 

willl    1ln^^^'    \.M1    llM.l    ImsI    XCMl? 

I/,iiiii>i.       l\i  liMps  llir\    iUM\    ;   bill  niino  Mio  nnirt>  vmIiim 
bU' biH  Muso  nn>ri   siMV.c.       Tin"  uvt'Mt  s|uiil  who  Iims  \vitlilu>l<l 
tr.Mu  \  .Ml  strcnutli  Mini  MMlity  t«>  itr.nidc  \'oiH\  ;iinl  clolliinn; 


Ml' 


l'\ 


I'll 


Ii' 


'It 


M 


IMMI II,;    III'      \  N     ,\  Mill  ir  \  N 


I  .  \  Ii \ 


111 


I  III     \  Mill  'ti'l  \  i"i,   I  III 'I   I'i  \  I'M    \  nil   I'll  II  III  III'  :  I  ll>  I    'III    1 1)  liril<  r  I'  illi'i 


I      Ii 


iLilHf     Ml  Ml  ml  It      \\ii|i|'-l     III 


IIHJ     |iliivii|i'     'H!ii|l'l    .       illnl     li\     '.'lii'llK  III! 
4illl|i|i'    null,    \\  Inn    lIli'V    ll!l\i'    ':\V:ll|i     •      il     lll:|i|lM  '>!,    yiill    li  l\ 
•  V    ill  I  I*'     Mill 
.1.     Il 


lllll 


I'     jillli 


IdI'IiI    lliiii     liiinl 


Mil'      I'I'iIIImI':       IIII'I 


in:ii|i'  I  lii'in  nil  n  l.in 


linl  ili'i    lln-j  I  Ml  I  lii'i    li:i< 


I  :       'I'liii'i  llii'  I 


ir,'l  \  I'l  ';  iri  I  >W    im  i|  r  Mm  III' 


K  .   v'l  )ili<  I   I  I 


iil\r    lr'i('l\ii|   mKiiim 


l<  i  II 


1 1 II    III  V  liiJiliI  II',  ;iii'l   I  III'  ill  il  III  III'  "I    in  \    will',   I   w  ill  I'  M  li.ilii'i' 

( III"    I'I'Wl 

7'riii/i  r.        I  il'  il     MM,    III  111  III  I   :    I 
HI    l;ik(>   \iiiii    liiiM  .'Ii'miiimI     \i.iii    w  i 


:  1 1  n  I       1 1 1  1 1     I  1 1     \S  I  I  1 1 1 1  f     V  1 1 1 1 , 


II        II    I'.:  Inn     llii    I 


l';l\'l'IM 


!IH'  (I'W,  Mini   \iiii    I'll  liiillii  I   I'll    llii  III       (  iiini',   liinlliii,  lil. 


IH    I 


li'iil    1)111     lii'Jl.  Mini     Mii!iil,i'    III!  inllv    m(Ii  iwmhI'I        \ 


'III  I 


Imm(      inill     i'iimI      liri\     lii'M\i'l      mIvMIM   ;     \iin     'li'ill     liM\r     lIlIM    |ii| 


Ml  V 


i|    \  Mil  sIimII 


'i\i-    iiiMili'ii    ;iiii|    iMi'iiMii 


III   I  III' 


HMIIII'    |il  ii|iii|  I  iMl)    lii|     |iii\\i|r|     Mini    kIiiiI. 

///'//'///.  Will,  Iniillii'i,  IIimI  im  cijiimI.  N'mw  Iiii  I  wo 
Hllvrr  III  Mrcli'iM.  Willi  lull!'  |irlnl:illl  I'MII'ilMfM  iil  llic  MMIIlc, 
HiM'li  MM  yoii  Kiilil  III  (mhImimiii  ill  lln'  Mlniinnii  '  Mimilli  ImmI. 
ynnr,  Imw    iiiinli  will  ymi  iliiiiMinl  ? 

7'rii(/i  r.  Tlin  nKiii'^iir  Iwiiiliri  Inr  llm  In  m'tIiIh,  Mini 
llniMi'  III  t\\i>  rMWii"-  Im   ill"'  I'Mi   linifM. 


///./ 


lllll . 


Ml       IH      M       ini'M 


I     ill  mI  ;    lllll 


WMIIIjill'   I      jMOWK 


si'MiTc,  Mini  HihiT  iicvrr  ins 


Im.       II 


I'll'    Mil'    I  III'    sk  IIIM. 


'rrmli  r.        I  >i 


yiiii     iniy    Miiy     nnni 


y    II 


I'll'     MIC    knives. 


Ii.'iIi'Iu'Im,  Mini  Im'miIs  oI   mII  cnliiis. 

Iiidiiiii.  I  will  liM\i'  M  Kiiili'  Mini  M  IimIi'Iii'I  ;  Init  imiimI, 
in>|,  l,',l<r  iiniiT  ;  llin  itsI.  uI  IIic  skiiiM  will  Iw  lilllf  iim»ii!i;Ii  Io 
cliitln'  llic  W'liiiii'ii  Mini  rliililtrii.  Mini  Iniv  u  :iiii|iiiiii.  Vinir 
Im'miIh  Mil'  III  nil  vmIih',  no  WMirior  wlm  Iimm  shiiii  m  wuH  will 
wciir  I  lii'in.  ' 


1 


Pi 


'  Srii.iii'M  Ih  till'  liiiiiati  riiimi'  I'nr  ruin.       Mih.   (hunt. 

''Tlin  liHliiiiiH  Mp|irii|iriiiti<  a  inniitli  I'lcnlrli  f'lHli  'ir  iviiiiimlH,  wliicji  in 
al.  Iliiit  IJiiii'  till'  |iri'iliimiiiiiiil  iiliji'i'l  III  |iiirHiiil  ,  hh  tln'  liciir  rnnritli, 
tlin  Im'iivit  iiiiuilli,  dr.        Mrs.  (/runt. 

•' IniliiiiiH  liiivii  n,  j,rri'iit  riiiili'iii|it,  ciiiiiiiiuiilivi'ly,  fur  t.lii'  lii'adri  wi- 
Hiilid   I.Ih'IM  ;   wliicli  Un-y  roiiHiiliT  iih  only  lit    for  tlumi'  iiictii'DiriH   wlin 

l!> 


140 


Mkmoiks  of  an  a  Mini  KAN  Lauy. 


I 


Ti'ude.r. —  irtTc  nil'  maiiv  thint^s  Lood  i';)r  von,  wlilch  v<>u 
li.'ivo  not  skins  to  l»iiy  ;  licrc  is  ii  l<><»ki!!<j:-ul:iss,  and  licro  is 
a  l)rass  kettle,  in  which  vonr  woman  inav  i)oil  her  mai/.c, 
hor  beans,  and  above  all  her  nia|»le  sntjar.  ilere  art'  silver 
broaches,  and  here  are  jiistols  for  the  youilis. 

LuliiOt. —  Tlie  skiiis  1  can  spare  will  not  )>iirchase  them. 

TnuJer. —  Yonr  will  determines,  brt>(hef  ;  bnt  next  year 
yon  will  want  n<tthiniif  but  jiowder  and  shot,  h.'vin^  already 
pnrcliase*!  your  <;nn  and  ornaments.  If  y<»i'.  will  |)urchase 
fi'om  'ne  a  blanket  to  wrap  round  you,  a  shiit  and  blue 
str<;ud  for  under  <;arments  to  yourself  and  your  woman  ; 
and  the  same  for  lejjjtjinos,  this  will  pass  the  time,  and  save 
you  the  tjivat  labor  of  dressint;  the  skins,  makiuii;  the  thread, 
etc.,  for  your  clothinij;  ;  which  will  t;ive  you  more  lishing 
and  shootinu;  time,  in  the  sturi^eon  and  bear  months. 

Indian. —  Uut  the  custom  of  my  fathers  ! 

Trtahr. —  You  will  not  break  the  custom  of  your  lathers, 
by  beinu:  thus  clad  for  a  single  year.  They  did  not  refuse 
tlnise  thint>s  wliich  were  lu'ver  offered  to  them. 

Indian. —  For  this  year,  brotlier,  1  will  exchange  my 
skins  ;  in  the  next  I  shall  |trovide  ii>parel  nu)re  befitting  a 
warrior.  One  pack  alone  I  will  reserve  to  dress  for  a  future 
occasion.     Tlie  sunnnei*  must  not  find  a  warrior  idle. 

The  terms  being  adjusted  and  the  bargain  concluded,  the 
li'ader  thus  shows  his  gi'atitnde  foi"  liberal  dealing. 

Trade)'. —  "Coi-laer  has  forbid  bringing  scaura  to  steal 
away  the  wisdom  of  the  w;in-iors  ;  but  we  white  men  are 
weak  and  cold  ;  we  bring  kegs  for  ourselves,  lest  death 
arise  from  the  swamps.  We  will  not  sell  scaui'a  ;  but  you 
shall  taste  some  of  ours  in  return  for  the  venison  with  which 
you  liave  feaste(l  us. 

Indian. —  lirother,  we  will  drink  moderately. 

cannot  by  their  exertions  win  any  better.  They  estimate  them  com- 
pared witli  their  own  wampum,  as  we  do  pearls  compared  with  paste. — 
Mrs.  Grant. 


iA--'jyi;!'fts:.%%.iii&x-»jmLmmius!Ks 


Memoirs  of  an  Amkhicam  Lady. 


147 


tl 


le 


<t(":il 

■alli 
yoii 
licli 


A  holllc  was  tlicn  i^ivcii  lotlic  warrior  l>y  way  of  prcsi'iit, 
which  lu' was  adviscMl  to  ivccplonij  ;  but  found  it  irri'sistibk'. 
Ho  soon  rc'turncil  with  the  reserved  pack  of  skins,  earnestly 
iirt^iuL'  the  trader  tn  i<;\\v  liini  beads,  silver  l)roaclu>s,  and 
abdve  all  scaura,  to  their  full  amount.  This,  with  niiieh 
atVecti'd  reluctance  at  [lacting  with  the  private  stock,  was  at 
last  yielded.  The  wai'riors  now,  after  i^'iviuij^  loose  for  a 
while  to  frantic  mirth,  bcijfan  the  war-whoop,  made  the 
wo(mIs  resound  with  infuriate  howlin_<fs  ;  and  havintr  e\- 
hausti'cl  their  di-ar  bouuht  draut,dit,  probably  detei'niined, 
in  contempt  of  that  prol»ity  which  at  all  other  times  they 
riji'idly  observed,  to  plunder  the  instrunu'nt  of  their  j)er- 
nicious  <^vjititicatit»n.  He,  well  aware  of  the  consequeiu-es, 
took  care  to  remove  himself  and  his  goo<ls  to  some  other 
place  ;  and  a  renewal  of  the  same  scenr  ensued.  Where, 
all  this  time,  wei'c  tlie  wonu'n,  whose  gentle  councils  i. light 
liave  prevented  the^c  excesses  ?  Alas  !  unrestrained  by 
that  delicacy  which  is  certainly  one  of  the  best  fruits  of 
retineinent,  they  shareii  in  them,  and  sunk  sooner  under 
them.  A  long  and  deep  slee]>  generally  succeeded  ;  from 
which  they  awoke  in  a  state  of  dejt'ction  and  chagrin,  sueli 
as  no  Indian  had  ever  experienced  under  any  other  eireum- 
stanee.  They  felt  as  ]\Iilton  describes  Adam  and  Eve  to 
have  done  after  their  transgression.  Exhausted  and  foi'lorn, 
and  stung  with  the  consciousness  of  error  and  dependence, 
they  had  neither  the  means  nor  the  desire  of  exercising  their 
wonted  summer  occupations  with  spirit.  V.acancy  produced 
languor,  and  languor  made  them  again  wish  for  tlie  potion 
which  gave  tem|»orary  cheerfulness.'  They  carrie<l  their 
fish  to  the  next  fort  or  habitation  to  barter  for  rum.  This 
l)rought  on  days  of  fren/y,  succeeded  by  torpor.  When 
again  roused  by  want  to  exertion,  they  saw  the  season  pass- 
ing without  the  usual  jjrovision  ;  and  by  an  effort  of  perse- 

'Froin  Peter  Schuyler,  brother  to  the  colonel,  I  have  heard  many 
such  details. —  Mrs.  Qrunt. 


14H 


Mkmoihs  ok  a\  Amkiucan   Lady. 


vi'nnjif  iiKlustrv,  trictl  to  iiiiikc  up  for  |i;ist  iicufliLfciicc  ;  mid 
tlxii,  worn  out  l>y  I'xcrtioii,  sunk  into  sn|tin('  indok'ncc,  till 
tlu'  :i|i|'r(».'icli  of  uinttT  ciiU'd  tln'Ui  to  hunt  tlu'  ])r:ir  ;  and 
thenrrival  of  tliat  (tlicirl  usy  season),  uri^cdon  flicir  distant 
excursions  in  pursuit  of  deer.  'I'licn  they  rcsunii'tl  tlicir 
wonted  I'liaraeter,  and  became  wliat  tliey  used  to  be  ;  but 
consi'ious  llial  a(  <|uired  taste.' and  wants,  which  tht-y  liad 
htst  the  habit  of  siipplyini;  thi-niselves,  would  thi'ow  them 
a^ain  on  tlie  trader,'  for  clothing,  etc.,  tlu'y  were  themselves 
out-strainin_i(  evi-ry  sinew  to  procure  enouyh  of  peltry  to 
answer  their  purpose,  and  t(»  j:^i'atify  their  newly  ac(juired 
appetites.  Thus  the  (  nerify,  Itolh  of  their  chariicters  and 
constitutions,  was  gradually  undi-rmini'd  ;  and  their  num- 
bers as  efl'i'ctually  diminished,  as  if  they  had  lu-eu  wasted 
by  war. 

The  small-]>ox  was  also  so  fatal  to  them,  that  whole  tribes 
on  tlie  ujtper  laki'S  have  been  entirely  extinguished  by  it. 
Tl)ose  people  bein;4  in  the  habit  of  usi.ii;  all  possible  means 
of  closing;  the  jiores  of  the  skin,  by  painting  and  anointinjjf 
themselves  witii  bi'ars'  <;'iease,  to  defend  thi-m  ayainst  tlie 
extremity  of  cold,  to  which  t'\eir  manner  of  life  exposed 
them  ;  an>l  not  beinn'  habit'i.illy  subject  to  any  i'Utaneous 
disease,  tlu'  small-pox  rarely  rises  upon  them  ;  from  which 
it  maybe  understood  how  littlechance  they  had  of  recover- 
ing. All  tills  I  heai'd  aunt  Schuyler  relate,  whose  observa- 
tions and  retiections  I  merely  detail. 


(MiAPTioi;  xxvr. 

ArrKAcrioNs  of   I'mio  Indian  m<»I)K  ok  Likio — Account  uk 

A  SK'rn.KK  AMONMJ  TllKM. 

J-N  this  wild  liberty,  habits  of  jn-obity,  mutual  confidence, 
and  constant  variety,  there  was  nu  undutinul)le  charm,  that, 


4r 


K  AT 


f^ 


'Oils 

lic'li 
)VC'r- 

'VVil- 


t>F 


'lice, 
liat, 


Mkmoiks  or  a:;   Amkimcan   I  m»y. 


ll'.i 


wliilc    llu'v  |»i'i's»'rv('»l   tlifir  |»ritniti\  ('   iiiiimicis,  w  loiinlit,  in 
I'vcrv  otic  wlio  (hvt'lt  lor  any  liint'  amonLrst  llicin. 

I  liavi'  ot'tcii   lii'ai'il  my  I'liciid  -iiuMk  of  ;in  old  i>i;iii,  wlio, 
ln'iiii; caiTictl  away  in  liis  inrancy  liy  sonic  lioslilc  ltil»c  who 
had  slain  his  parents,  w  ;is  rescued  \ciy  soon  allerlc  a  liilie 
of  friendly  Indians,  who,  IVoin  mot  i\  cs  of  luiniiinity,  resolved 
to  hrint^  him   up  amoni^  tlii'msehcs,  that   he  miL;ht,  in  their 
phrase,  "  leiirn  to  hcml  the  l»ow,  and  speak  Initli/'     When 
it  was  discovered,  some  ye.irs  after,  th.it  he  was  still  li\iii<;, 
his  relations  claimed  him  ;  and  the  coinmiinity  wished  him 
to  retiiinand   inlieril  his  father's   lands,  now   hcconu'  more 
<ronsid<'ral»le.     The   Indians    weri'   unwilliiii;    to   part     with 
their  protege  ;  and  he    vv;is  still    more  reliietanl    to  return. 
This  was  consideri'd  as  a  h:iil  precedent  ;  the  early  scttU'rs 
having  found  it  convenient  in  sevi'ral  things  rei,'ai-din<4  liiiiil- 
iny',   food,   el(^,    to    assimilate,    in    some    de<jjrec,   with    the 
Indians  ;  and    the   yoiiiiLj  men    occasionally,  at    that    early 
period,  joiniui;'   their  huntiii!^   and  lisliinif    parties.      It    was 
considered   as   a   matter  of  serious   import    to   reclaim    this 
yoiiiiij;  alien;   lest  others   should  l»e   lost  to  t  he  community 
and    to    I  heir    relieitui    l»v   followiiiii'   his    example.      With 
ditliculty  they  fiu'ced   him   h(tiiie  ;   where  they  never  could 
have  detained   him,  had    they  not    c.'irefully  and   ijradualjy 
inculcated   into   his   mind    the    truths  of   Christianity.     To 
those  iiislructiojis  e\ en   his  Indian  predilections  taught  him 
to  listen  ;  for  it    was  the  ri'lij^ion  of  his  fathers,  and   vene- 
rable  to   him    ;is    siu-li  :    still,  however,    his   dislike  of   our 
manners  was  never  I'litirely  compiered,  noi-  was  his  attach- 
ment (o  his  foster  fathers  ever  much  dimiiiislied.      He   was 
j)ossessed  of  a  very  sftiind  intellect,  and  used  to  declaim  with 
the  most  velieiiieiit  clotMU'iice  auaiiist  our  crafty  and  insidious 
eiicroachnionts  on  our  ohl   friends.      His  abhorrence  of  tlie 
potty  falsehoods  to  which  i-ustom  has  too  well   reconciled 
us,  and  those  little  artifices  which  we  all  (xrcasiunally  prac- 
tice, rose  to  a  lieiglit  fully  e(pial  to  tliat   felt  by  (TuUlver. 


pi' 


* 


lii 


I.V) 


MkMhIKS    »»K    an    AmIMIU'AN    liAhY, 


SwiTl  :iiiil  this  <ttlu'r  «nls;iiitliro|K',  tlioiiijli  tlicy  lived  at  tlin 
s.'unc  time,  coiilM  imt  Iia\c  liail  any  iiitcrcoiiisr,  else  niu! 
iiiii;lit  liasc  sii|»|»<is(m|  the  iii\ cctiN cs  wliicli  lie  lias  put  Into 
tlic  iiKiiilli  of  (iiillivcr,  \V('i-('  iMirrnwcil  IVmih  tliis  (icini-sav- 
an'i'  ;  whose  e(>iit«'iii|»t  and  hatred  of  sellishiii'ss,  meanness, 
and  dn|ilifity,  wei'e  e\|>resse(|  in  laiiLCuaije  worthy  <»!'  tho 
dean.  Insoiimch,  that  years  alter  I  had  lii'ard  of  this  sin- 
ynlar  eharaeler,  I  thi>iii;ht,  on  reading  ( Inlliver's  as|teritie.s 
al'tei-  retnrnin<4  from  llonyhnhninlantl,  that  I  had  met  my 
old  friend  al,^■lin.  One  really  does  meet  with  charaeterH 
that  liftion  woid<l  seem  too  Ixtid  in  |M»rlrayin<c.  This 
ori^jinal  had  an  aversion  to  linnor,  which  amounted  to  ;ili- 
liorrence  :  heint;  end»ittered  l»v  his  reiiret  at  the  mischief 
resullini;  fr<nn  it  to  !il  old  friends,  and  rat^i-  at  the  traders 
for  administerini;  the  Mieans  of  depravity,  lie  iii'ver  conid 
hear  any  seasoning  to  his  food  ;  and  despised  Inxnry  in  all 
its  forms. 

l''or  all  the  tfrowiniif  evils  1  ha\('  heeii  descri1)inif,  tlu-rc 
was  only  one  remedy,  which  the  s.au^av'ity  of  my  friend  and 
her  othei-  self  soon  discovered  ;  and  their  hnmanity  as  well 
as  principle  Km!  them  to  try  all  possilde  means  of  administer- 
injjj.  It  was  the  pnre  lii,dit  an<l  lii'iiial  intlnence  of  Christ- 
ianity alone  that  conld  cheer  and  aineli(M-ate  the  state  of 
thesi'  |»eople,  now,  from  a  concnrrence  of  circninstances 
scarcely  to  hi'  avoided  in  the  mitnre  of  thinn's,  de|»rived  of 
the  indepemlence  hahitnal  to  their  own  way  of  life,  without 
ac(|nirinn'  in  its  room  any  of  those  condorls  which  sweeten 
onrs.  r>y  i^radnally  ami  i^ently  nnfoldingto  them  tlie  views 
of  a  happy  fnfnrity,  and  the  means  by  which  depraved 
iinmanity  was  restori'd  to  a  participation  of  that  blessing  ; 
pridi',  revenge,  r.nd  the  indulgence  of  every  excess  of  passion 
or  appetite  l)eing  restrained  by  the  precepts  of  a  religion  ever 
powerful  where  it  is  sincere  ;  their  sj»irits  would  bebrouglit 
down  from  the  tierc"  j)i'i(l(^  which  (U'spises  im|)rovenient  to 
adopt  such  of  our  modes,  as  w<Md<l  enable  them  to  incorjjo- 


^^ 


<l) 


\' 


^fl'lMoIUS    OK    AN    AmKUICAN    LaI>V, 


l.-)! 


nitc  in  tiiiic  with  our  society,  Mrul  |H()ciirt"  for  tlinnsi'lvcs  :i 
(M»tiif«>rt!il>l('  sii))sistcii('(',  ill  :i  (•(Hiiitry  no  lonucr  :i(l;iii|c(l  to 
Hii|»|ily  the  \v:ints  of  flic  houseless  niiiiXfrs  ol'  the  forest. 

Tlie  milTow  poiiev  of  iniiiiv  h»<)ke<l  coMlv  on  tliis  lieiievo- 
lent  project.  Hunters  su|»|tiit'<l  the  niciiiiH  of  coininerce,  ninl 
warriors  those  of  (h-fence  ;  ami  it  was  «|uestioiial>li'  whether 
a  Christian  Indian  would  hunt  or  ti<^ht  as  well  as  formerly. 
This,  however,  had  no  |t<»wcr  with  tlmse  in  whom  Christian- 
ity was  any  thiui;  more  than  a  name.  There  were  already 
many  Christian  Indians  ;  and  it  was  very  encouratiin^j:,  that 
not  one,  once  converted,  had  evei- forsaken  the  strict  profes- 
HJon  of  their  reliyion,  or  ever,  in  a  simple  instance,  ahamloned 
themselves  to  the  excesses  so  |iernicious  to  their  unconverted 
iM'ethreii.  Never  was  the  true  spirit  of  Chi'istianity  more 
exemplilicd  than  in  the  lives  of  those  comparatively  few 
(Converts,  who  ahoiit  this  time  amountcfl  to  more  than  two 
hundred.  I>ut  the  tender  t'are  and  example  of  the  Schuylers 
coiipe rati  111^  with  thi'  incessant  lahorsof  a  judicious  and  truly 
apostolic  missionary,  some  years  after  jj^reatly  auifunicnted 
their  mimhers  in  dilTerent  |)arts  of  the  continent  :  and  to  this 
<lay,  the  memory  of  David  IJrainard,  the  faithful  lahoivr 
aliudeil  to,  is  held  in  veneration  in  those  districts  that  were 
blessed  with  his  ministry.  He  did  not  conline  it  to  oik^ 
jK'ople  or  itrovince,  but  traveled  from  place  to  pla.i'  to  dis- 
seminate the  t^ospel  to  new  converts,  and  continn  ;ind  »  ;;  fish 
the  truth  already  planted.  The  tii'st  foundation  of  that 
ehurcji,  had,  however,  as  I  foriiu'rly  mentioned,  Iteen  hiid 
h)ni^  ajjfo  :  and  the  examples  of  piety,  prohify,  and  benevo- 
lence set  by  the  worthies  at  the  I'M.ats,  :ind  ji  fi'W  moi'c,  were 
ji  very  necessary  comment  on  the  <bictriiies  to  which  their 
assent  was  desired. 

The  Ljreat  stumbling  block  which  tlie  missi(»naries  had  to 
encounter  with  the  Indians  (who  as  far  as  their  knowledg(; 
went,  arufued  with  ijreat  acuJeness  and  lo<;ical  ju'ecision), 
was  the  small  iiiHuence  which  our  reliijion  seemed  to  have 


I     '! 


lo2 


MiJAioiKS  OF  AN  American  Lady. 


over  many  of  its  ))rofi'ssors.  "Why,"  said  tlicy,  "if  the 
hook  of  ti'iilh,  that  shows  tlu'  way  to  ha|»|iiii('ss,  aii<l  bids  all 
iiu'ii  «lo  jiislicc,  aii<l  \o\v  oju>  anotlu'i',  is  ijjivi'ii  both  to  Cor- 
lacrand  Oiiiionthio, '  docs  it  not  direct  them  both  in  (he  same 
way?  Why  does  ()nn<«n)hio  worship,  and  Corlaer  nenliH't, 
the  mother  of  the  blessed  one?  .\nd  why  do  (he  mission- 
aries blame  (hose  for  worshipint;'  (hinys  made  wi(h  hands, 
while  (he  pries(s  (ell  (he  prayini;  na(ion,'  tha(  Corlaer  and 
his  people  have  forsaken  (he  worship  of  his  forefadiers  :  be- 
sides, how  can  people,  who  believe  (hat  (lod  and  <>;ood  spiri(s 
view  and  (ake  an  in(eres(  in  all  (heir  ae(ions,  cheat  and  <lis- 
semble,  drink  and  liu,h(,  (|iiari'el  and  backbite,  if  (hey  believe 
the  nrea(  lire  burns  foi'  (hose  who  do  such  (liinn's.  If  we 
believed  what  you  say,  we  should  not  exchanu,e  so  nnich 
(food  for  wickedni'ss,  to  please  an  evil  spii'it  who  would 
rejoice  at  our  des(ruc(ion.'"  ....  To  (his  reasoninjjj  it 
was  not  easy  (o  oppose  any  (hiuif  (hat  would  carry  con- 
viction to  un(u(ored  |»eople,  who  spoke  from  observation 
and  (he  evidence  of  the  senses  ;  (o  which  could  only  be  op- 
posed scrip(nre  (e\(s,  which  avail  not  (ill  (hey  are  believetl  ; 
and  abs(ract  reasonint;,  ex(remely  diHicult  (o  brinu^  (o  (ho 
level  of  an  unlearned  nnders(andini«;.  (^reat  labor  and  per- 
severance wrouglu  on  (he  minds  of  a  few,  who  fel(  conviction, 
as  far  as  it  isto  be  ascribed  (o  human  ai>c'ncy,  flow  from  (he 
affectionate  pei suasions  of  (hose  >vhom  they  visil)ly  beheld 
t'ariu's(  for  (heir  e(ernal  wclfai'c  ;  and  when  a  few  had  thus 
yielded, '  (he  peace  and  purity  of  their  lives,  and  the  sublime^ 


'  CorlaiT  WHS  the  title  jfiven  by  them  to  the  {rovernor  of  New  York  ; 
and  was  fiijuratively  vised  for  the  governed,  and  Onnonthio  for  those 
of  Canada,  in  the  same  manner. — ^frti.  (Irm  t. 

^  Prayiiii^natioi>  was  a  nanief^iven  to  a  v'ilair(M)f  bidians  near  Mont- 
real, who  professed  the  Koman  catholic  faith. —  Mrs.  (Irant. 

••Some  of  them  liave  made  such  a  proficiency  in  practical  relijrion  as 
ought  to  sliaiiKi  many  of  us,  who  boast  the  illuininating  aids  of  our 
native  Christianity.  Not  on(M)f  these  hidians  has  been  concerned  in 
thost!  barbarous  eruptions  wliich  deluged  i-he  frontiers  of  our  south. 


! 


I 


MkMO  I  us    01'    AN    AMKHirAN    LaDY. 


158 


oiijoynu-nt  tlicy  scciiu'd  In  drrivc  iVoin  tlic  pntspci-ts  llicir 
faith  opciKMl  into  riitufity,  was  an  indnct'nu'nt  to  others  t»» 
f(»Uo\v  the  sanu'  palli.  Tliis,  ahst ractcdly  IVoni  rcIij,Mous 
consiiU'ralioiis  of  cniUcss  futurity,  is  the  true  and  only  way 
to  cix  ilization  ;  ami  to  the  Idcndini;  to.u'ctht'r  the  ol<l  and 
new  iidiahitants  of  tliese  regions.  National  |»ri(h',  rooted 
prejinlices,  ferocity  and  vindictive  hatre(l,  all  yiehl  before 
;i  chaiiiiC  that  iiew-nionhls  the  whole  sold,  and  furnishes  nu'ii 
with  new  f«'ars  and  hi>|ies,  and  new  molixcs  for  action. 


'     CIIAITKIJ   XXVII. 

Indians  ArrAniKD  nv  ('i>nvki;sion  —  Iv\n;i>i  rioN  <»i'  Mt»Ns. 
I).\i;i;k —  luoNn'Ai.  SKKrni  ok  an  Indian. 

LJl*<>N  the  attachment  the  Iiulians  Inul  to  our  reliiiion  was 
ii;rafte(l  the  stroiiu'est  rei;ard  to  nur  i;dvt'rnineiit,  and  the 
greatest  (idelityto  the  treaties  ma<li'  with  us.  I  shall  insert 
il  specimen  of  Indian  elo(|ueiice,  illuslrat ixc  of  this  last  ;  not 
that  I  consider  it  l>y  any  nu'ans  so  rich,  impressive,  or  suh- 
lime  as  many  others  that  I  could  (piote,  hut  as  containing 
a  figure  of  speech  rarely  to  he  met  with  among  savage 
]>eople,  and  supposed  hy  us  incom))at ihle  with  the  state  of 
inti'llectual  advancement  to  which  they  have  attained.  I 
n\ean  a  line  and  well  suppoited  irony.  Ahout  the  year 
lt)!»0,'  Mons.  I>arre,  the  c(unmander  of  the  l"'rench  forces  in 


\v('st»!rii  ])rovinc»'s  witli  the  blood  of  so  iniiiiy  iiiiiocciits,  of  every 
njjfi-  and  sex.  At  tlie  coiiniiciiceinent  of  these  nivnjreH,  they  Hew  into 
tlie settlements,  and  pnt  tliemselves  into  the  jirotretion  of  government. 
The  Indians  no  sooner  became  Cln'istians,  tlian  they  openly  ])rofeMse(l 
their  h)ynlty  to  Kinij  (ieorjfe;  and  therefore,  to  <-(tntril)Mte  to  their 
conversion  was  as  truly  politic  as  nobly  Christian. —  i}frs.  (I rant. 

'  f'lons.  De  hi  Ham?  sueeeeih'd  Krontenar,  as  jfovernorof  Canada  in 
tr»H2,  l>nt  was  rei-alleii  in  l()Sr>  for  havinfif,  l)y  his  irresolution,  cansed 
the  failure  of  tlie  expedition  inbi  the  territory  of  the  lro«inoiH. — M. 

20 


iM 


-J. 


liii 


f 


' 


i      I 


154 


MlwMOIKS    OF    AN    AmEHICAN    LaDY. 


CaD.'ula,  made  a  kind  <»f  inroad,  witli  a  warlike  dcsiLjn,  into 
tlie  ]»ivf'iiict.s  claiini'd  by  our  .Aloliawk  allio ;  ;  tlio  inanrh 
was  tedious,  the  Frcncli  tVU  sick,  and  many  of  tiu'ir  Trdians 
dcscrtcMl  them.  The  wily  commander,  finding'  liimseif  une- 
qual to  the  meditated  attack,  and  that  it  would  he  unsafe 
to  return  tln'ouijli  the  lakes  and  woods,  while  in  hourly 
dauLferof  meeting  I'nemies  so  justly  provokiMl,  sent  ti>  invite 
the  sadu'ms  to  a  friendly  confcrj'nce  :  and,  wlien  they  mit, 
asserted,  in  an  artful  s|)eech,  that  he  and  Ids  ti"oo]ts  had 
come  with  tlu'  sole  intention  of  settling  old  grii'vances,  and 
smoking  the  calumet  of  peace  with  them.  The  Indians,  not 
imj»osed  on  by  such  |tretenc('s,  listent'd  patiently  to  his 
sjieech,  and  then  made  the  answer  which  the  reader  will 
find  in  the  n<»tes. '  It  is  to  he  ohservecl,  that  whocvei-  they 
(tonsidered  as  the  ruling  pi'rson  for  the  tinu-  iieing  in  ('ana<la, 
they  stylecl  Onnonthio;  while  tlu'  g(»vernor  of  New  York 
they  always  calleil  C'orlaer. 


' "  Onnonthio,  I  honor  you  ;  and  ull  tlio  warriors  that  arc  with  nio 
likewise  lionor  you.  ^Dur  intcrprt'ter  lias  fiuislird  liis  spcfcli,  I  bcjjin 
mine  My  word;;  make  haste  to  reach  your  ears  ;  hearken  to  tln'ni, 
Yonnondio.  You  must  havt*  believed,  when  you  left  Quebec,  that  the 
sun  had  burnt  upali  theforeHts  which  made  ourcountryso  inaccessible 
to  the  French  ;  or  tluit  the  lakes  had  so  far  overllowed  their  banks, 
that  they  had  surrounded  our  castles,  and  that  it  was  imjiossiblc  tor 
lis  to  ffH  out  of  them.  Yes,  Yonnondio,  sundy  you  liuve  dreamt  so  ; 
and  the  curiosity  of  seeinp;  so  j^rcat  a  wonder  has  broufiht  you  so  far. 
Now  you  arc  undeceived,  since  I  and  the  warriors  hen-  |iresent  are 
come  to  assurer  you,  that  the  Ilurons,  C)noiida<ioes,  and  IMoiiawks  are 
yet  alive.  1  thank  you  in  their  name  for  briiifrinjr  back  into  their 
country  the  calumet,  whiehyour  predecessor  received  from  1  eir  hands. 
It  was  happy  for  you  that  you  h^ft  undiM-  {.'round  tlu't  murderinjj 
hatchet,  which  has  been  so  often  dyed  with  the  blood  of  the  French. 
Hear,  Onnonthio,  I  do  notslee]);  I  have  n^y  eyes  open  ;  and  the  sun 
that  enliifliti'ns  me  discovers  to  me  a  jrreat  captain,  at  the  head  of  his 
soldiers,  who  speaks  as  if  he  were  dreamin}>'.  He  says  that  he  only 
canu!  to  the  lake  to  smoke  out  of  the  jjreat  calumt;t  with  the  Five 
Naticms  ;  but  Connaratetfo  says  that  In;  sees  the  contrary  ;  that  it  was 
to  knock  them  on  the  head,  if  sickness  had  not  weakened  the  arms  ot 


f 


I'ft 


Slip 


ma 


■V 


NfKMDriis  OF  AN  Amkhtcan  Lady. 


155 


<* 


Twice  ill  tlic  year  llic  lU'W  converts  came  1o  All)any  to 
]»artake  nf  the  saerameiit,  before  a  jjlace  »»f  rt'orsiiip  was 
erei-teil  for  tliemselves.  Tliey  always  sjx'iit  the  iiiglit,  or 
oFteiU'r  two  iii<j;lits,  before  tlieir  joining  in  this  holy  rite  at 


tlitf  Frciicli.  I  siM'Oiinoiitliii)  ravinjf  in  acanip  of  airk  men,  wliosiOives 
tlu!  fiTcat  spirit  lias  saved  by  iiitlicliiiij:  tliis  sirkni'ss  ui><»n  tlicin.  Ilnar, 
Onnoiitliio,  uiir  wdiikmi  liaii  taken  tlicir  cliihs;  our  cliildrcn  and  old 
men  liad  carried  their  hows  and  arrows  into  the  lieart  of  your  canij), 
if  our  warriors  liad  not  disarnuid  them,  and  kept  th<'in  hack,  when 
your  nies.-i.MiffvT  eanie  to  our  castiea.  It  is  done,  and  I  liave  said  it. 
Hear,  Yonnondio,  we  phuiih-red  nont^  of  the  French,  V)ut  those  wiio 
carried  <runs,  ])i/wder,  and  hall  to  tin;  wolf  and  elk  tril)^^s,  he-cause  thoso 
arms  miyht  have  cost  us  our  lives.  Herein  we  follow  the  example  of 
the  .lesuits,  whostave  all  tlu;  ke^rsof  rum  brou<j:htto  thecastles  where 
they  are,  lest  the  drunken  Intlians  should  knock  them  on  the  h»!ad. 
Our  warriors  havt^  n<tt  heavers  enou^fh  to  ])ay  for  all  those  anus  that 
they  have  taken;  and  our  old  men  are  not  afraid  of  the  war.  This 
bcdt  preserves  my  words.  We  carrii-d  the.  Knjrlish  into  our  lakes,  to 
tra«h)  with  the  wolf  and  elk  trihes,  as  tlni  prayinjf  Indians  broufjfht 
the  French  to  our  castles,  to  carry  on  a  trade,  which  tins  Enf^lish  say 
is  tiieirs.  We  are  horn  tree.  We  neither  dei)end  on  Ounfinthio  nor 
Corlaer  ;  we  may  }?o  where  we  please.  If  your  allie.s  he  your  slaves, 
usetluMU  as  such  ;  command  them  to  receive  no  other  but  your  people. 
This  helt  picservtjs  my  words.  We  knocked  the  Connecticut  Indiana 
and  their  confederates  on  the  head  because  they  had  cut  down  the 
trees  of  p(^ace,  which  were  the  limits  of  our  country.  They  had  hunted 
beavers  on  our  lands,  contrary  to  the  customs  of  all  Indians,  for  they 
hav(?  left  none  alive.  They  have  killed  both  male  and  temale.  They 
hrou^rlit  the  Sathanas  into  our  country  to  take  part  with  them,  after 
they  had  formed  ill  desijj:ns  ai^ainst  us  ;  we  have  done  less  than  they 
merited. 

"  Hear,  once  more,  the  words  of  the  Five  Nations.  They  say  that 
when  they  buried  the  hatchet  at  Cardaracjui  (in  the  presence  of  your 
l)redecessor),  in  the  middle,  of  the  fort  [Detroit,]  they  jdanted  the  tree 
of  i)eace  in  the  same  place,  to  be  there  carefully  preserved  ;  that  in- 
stead of  an  abode  for  soldiers,  that  fort  mijifht  be  a  rendezvous  for 
merchants  ;  that  in  place  of  arms  and  ammunition,  only  peltry  and 
fjfoods  should  enter  there. 

"  Iltiar,  Yonnondio,  take  care  for  the  future  that  so  great  a  number  of 
soldiers  as  ai)i)ear  there  do  not  choke  the  trea  of  peace,  planted  iu  so 
small  a  fort.     It  will  be  a  great  loss  after  having  so  easily  taken  root, 


kh; 


Mk.Moius    UK    AN     AmKUK-AN     liAliY 


tlw  I'M.'ils  :  w  liicli  \v;is  llicir  LTfiiciMl  icmlc/.x  oiis  iVniii  dilVcrciil 
<|n;irl('is.  TlH'rc  tlicy  wtTc  cordiMlly  received  1)\  \hv  lliiee 
hrotlu'is,  will)  :d\v;iys  met  fdLjellier  ;i(  lliis  lime  lo  liiive  a 
oonrereiiee  willi  them  on  siilijeels  ilie  nmsl  iin|H)rt;ml  to 
(lieir  present  iindliitMre  \velt;ire.  Tliese  devunt  Imli.ins 
seen\eil  ;dl  im|tressed  willi  llie  snme  leelinLis,  :mhI  nrnxcd  l»y 
the  s;im«'  s|>iiil.  Thev  wcic  I'eeeixed  with  .•ill'eet  ioiiiile 
eordi.Mlitx,  :ind  iicoimmudMled  in  :i  ncnuuT  <|iiile  ennlnrni.'i- 
l)h'  to  their  h.'diils,  in  tlie  |i;iss;ioc.  |Mirch,  :ind  olliees  ;  :ind 
so  (h't'plv  impressed  were  they  with  .1  sense  of  the  Mwlid 
dut\  ih.Mt  lifonehi  them  tln'i-e.  ;ind  the  riL^hls  of  iViendship 
;ind  hospital  it  V,  :ind  , 'It  this  period  Iteeome  so  inni'h  .'itMinMinted 
with  our  eiistoms,  that  thonuh  two  hundred  eonimnnieants, 
followed  itv  many  ol"  their  children,  wen-  used  to  assendth' 
on  these  occasions,  the   smallest  instance  ol'   riot  or  inipro- 


if  VDU  should  stop  its  ^rowlli,  iukI  jircviMit  its  covering  yoin*  coinitrv 
Mid  ours  with  its  lirniiclics.  I  Mssurc  you,  in  tlw  nanit'  ol'  the  l<'ive 
Niilious,  tliMl  our  warriors  sluvll  daucc  to  tlio  caluiuct  of  ix-acc  under 
its  leaves,  anil  shall  remain  i|uii>4  on  their  mats;  and  thai  thev  shall 
never  diji'  up  the  liati'hel  till  Corhieror  Ounonthio.  either  Jointly  or 
se)mralely,  attaek  the  country  which  the  y;reat  sjiirit  had  jxiven  to  our 
nncestors.  'This  belt  preserves  in v  words,  and  this  other  tlietiuthorily 
which  the  I'^ive  Nations  luive  eivcu  iiie,"  'rheii.CJnraiiyiila,  aildressiiifj 
hiinself  te  >.'ous.  lie  Main,  who  understood  his  hin^juaye,  and  inter 
]>reted.  s|>oke  thus  ;  "  Tiike  iMuiaee,  friend,  you  have  spirits;  speak, 
exjdain  my  words,  omit  nolliiii;!;-  'I'ell  all  that  your  lirethren  and 
friends  say  to  Ounonthio.  your  y:overnor.  l>y  themouth  of  (iaraiiixula, — 
who  loves  you,  and  desires  you  to  acceitt  of  this  present  of  heaver,  and 
take  p.art  with  me  in  my  feast,  to  which  I  invite  you.  'I'his  pn^seiit 
of  heaver  is  scut  to  ^'onnondio  on  the  part  of  the  I'lve  .Nations."' 

Mens  H.'irre  returned  to  his  fort  much  i'nrai;cil  at  what  he  liad 
heard  ;  (laranjjulu  feasted  the  l>'rcni'h  otiicers,  and  then  went  lioine  ;  and 
Mens.  Harre  set  out  on  his  way  towards  Montreal  ;  and  as  soon  as  the 
fvencral.  with  the  few,  soldiers  that  remained  in  health,  had  embarked, 
the  militia  made  their  way  to  tlicii  own  hahitations  without  order  or 
discipline.  Thus  a  char^rcahle  and  fatijiuiiifj:  expedition  meant  to 
strike  the  terror  of  the  French  mnne  into  the  stuhhorn  hearts  of  the 
Five  Nations,  ended  in  a  scold  between  u  French  jreiieral  and  an  old 
Indian.—  (\>hii  r's  ilixt'irt/  of  tin  Ft  \  Xdtions,  pa^»'  (58. 


k 


Il 


m 


Mi;,Mo||!S    (»K    AN     ,  .  MKIIM'AN    TjAKY 


ir,7 


pricly  \v;"'i  iiol  k.Hiwii  iiiiioiinst  llicin.  'I'licy  lnoii^lit  lidlr 
|irrs<'iils  of  L^'MHic,  *iv  of  (heir  ciirKnis  liMinlicral'l  s,  :imi|  utic 
lilM'i;illy  :iiiil  kiiidly  cii  cihiiiicil  liy  tlicii'  ^(mxI  IukI  Iici- 
IMiili|>,  ;is  llicy  r;imili;irly  ciillcfl  liiin.  In  tlic  cviiiini^  liny 
.-ill  went  ;i|);ii(  In  sccrrl  |ii;i\ci';  ;iinl  in  tlir  iimrnini^,  liv 
(liiwii  ol"  (|;iy,  tli('v  MsscrnMrd  ixl'mc  tlic  iMUliiu  ;  .iinl  llitii- 
(MilcrlMincrs,  wIki  iosc  ciiiiy  lu  <'iij"'y,  im"lisri\  ctl,  ;i  \iru  i>r 
llicii'  socini  <lf\  III  idii,  Im'IicIiI  iIm'Iii  willi  llxir  ni.'itillts  ili.'iwii 
uvci'  llicir  IickIs,  [iiusl  tmIc  un  ilic  cirl  li,  nlVciin^  |ii;iiscs 
;iiic|  IciNciil  sii|i|»li«Mti(His  |u  llicir  Miikir.  Al'lcr  simmc  limr 
spciil  in  lliis  ni.innci',  tliry   ni-dsc,  innl   snilrd  in  ;i    cinlf    nn 

I  lie  ^luund,  witli  llicir  lic;ids    vcilfd  ;is  l'iiiiiicrl\  ,    I  hey  siiii'^ 

.'III  liyinii,  \\  liicli  it   \v;is  ddi^lil  I'lii  to  lic'ir,  I'r tin   st  iciil;I  li, 

licliiicss,  :iiid  sw  ret  ;ic('i)rd  ul' |  |icii- iinc<  iniiiKiiiJ  \  liiir  \  niccs  ; 
wliifli  every  one  lli.it  ever  lie;ird  this  snereil  clKiriis,  Imw 
e\  er  i  I  id  i  lie  rent  l<»  tlie  |iiir|Mnt  of  it,  |ir;iise(|  ;is  ineoiiipMiiilile. 
Tin'  \iiiees  of  ||ie  feiiiMle  Indi.'iiis  ;ire  |>;i rl ieiihiily  sweel  :iiid 
iMiweilul.  I  liave  orien  lie.ird  Miv  trieiid  dwell  willi  sini^ii- 
lar  |ile;isiire  mi  the  recollect  inn  n\'  te.ose  scenes,  :ind  uf  the 
ci»n\  crs.'it  inns  she  ;iiid  ihe  cnlniiel  iise(|  tn  Imld  with  the 
Iinli;ins,  wlmm  she  descrilicd  ;is  |»nsscssed  nj"  \crv  siijieiinr 
|>nwers  nl'  iindcrslaiidinu,"  ;  :iiid  in  their  reliLciniis  views  and 
mnversal  inns,  niiiliiii;'  ilie  ard(n-  nl"  |irnselyles  with  the  linn 
di'cisinii  and  inllexihie  sleadiiiess  nl"  t  heir  rial  inn  a  I  (r  ha  racier. 

II  was  nn  the  retiirn  nl"  llinse  new  Christians  tn  the  l''lals, 
alter  they  had  thus  snleiimly  seale<|  I  heir  prnlcssion,  that, 
these  wise  rei;nlaliniis  Inr  |ii'eservin^  |ieace  an<l  i^nnd  will 
lielween  llie  selllers  (now  liecnme  cnnlideiil  and  careless 
I'min  llieir  mimhers)  and  the  liiilians,  jealniis  with  iViisnii 
nl"  Iheir  ancient  ritesj  were  cniieliided 


if 


158 


Mkmoius  of  an  Amkuican  Laky. 


ClIAITKi;  XXVIII. 

C'liKisr'AN  Indians  —  Tiikik  Inkm'KXck  wrin  tiik 

iMollAWKS. 

X  III*]  iiifliii'iicc  tlicsi'  coiiviTls  li;i(l  (»l»t:iiiu'<l  over  (1k'  niiiids 
(>r  (lidsc  must.  vi'iicrMtcl  for  wisdom  :imiiii<^  tiicii-  country- 
iM('!i,  \v;is  iIk'  iiu'iliiiiii  tlii-oiiiili  wliifli  lliis  |»:i(ri()(  family, 
ill  sdiiu-  decree,  cdiil  inllrd  tlic  ojrmioiis  of  (liat  commuiiily 
at  larnc,  and   lij-t    tlicm    t'ailhriil    to    tlu'    Uritisli    iiitorcsts. 

Im  t'i\  two  oitlirci'  years  tlicrc  was  a  roii!j;ross  ludd,  l>y 
ih'|Milifs  lidm  New  ^'o|•l<,  wlio  ui'iuTally  spoke  to  tlic  In- 
dians l»\-  an  iiiter|»ret«'r  ;  went  tliroiii:;li  the  fonii  of  deliver- 
iii'>' iireseiits  rri>m  their  In'otlier  tlie  i^real  kini'",  veilri-ssini; 
|»eltv  lories  ances,  sinokinn"  tin  <'alnmel  of  peace  and  deliver- 
iiiH'  lu'jts,  the  |dedi;es  of  amity.  I»nl  tlu-se  were  mure 
|)ul»ii('  forms  :  t hi'  real  terms  of  this  often  renewed  amity 
haviiin"  liet'ii  previously  dii^ested  l>y  those  wlio  far  hi'tter 
understood  the  relations  subsist  inn;  iiet  ween  the  eontraeting 
parties,  and  the  eaiisi's  most  likely  to  interrupt  their  union. 
Colonel  Sehuyler,  thon<.;li  always  ready  tosi'rve  his  eountry 
in  exineiieies,  did  not  like  to  take  upon  himself  any  perma- 
nent res|>onsiltility,  as  a  superintendi'ut  of  Indian  affairs, 
as  it  niiuht  have  diminished  that  pri\ate  inthieiiee  which 
arose  from  the  u'eiu'ral  veiiei'ation  lor  his  character,  and 
from  a  conviction  that  tlii'  concern  he  took  was  voluntary 
and  impartial  ;  neither  did  he  choose  to  sacrilice  that 
doiiu'stic  peace  ami  leisure,  wliii-h  hi'  so  well  knew  how  to 
turn  to  the  lu'st  account,  heini;"  convince(l  that  by  his 
example  and  inllueiice,  as  a  private  fjjentleman,  he  liatl  it  in 
his  power  to  do  much  good  of  a  peculiar  kind,  which  was 
incompatilile  with  the  weight  and  bustle  of  |»ublic  all"airs, 
or  with  that  hospitality  which,  as  they  managed  it,  was 
prochictive  of  so  many  benetiiaal  effects,  I  have  already 
shown  how,  l)y  pru»U'nt   address  and  kind  coneiliatiun,  this 


T 


i  ;■. 


Mkmoihs  ok  an  A.mkkican   Lady. 


1;-)!! 


5 

(IS 

is 


^r 


*  0t 


|»iitri()fi('  pair  sdotluMl  ami  attaduMl  llic  Indians  to  tlic  Bri- 
tish iiitcri'st.  As  tlic  coiiinrv  i^rcw  more  |»oj)iii()iis,  aii«l 
jiropcrty  more  alniiHlant  and  ni(tiT  sccwri',  llic  \''.u'i'  of  society 
in  this  inland  rcj^ion  l)c<^aii  to  clianicc  Tlicy  wliosc  (piict 
and  nidcily  di'incaiior,  ilcs otinn,  and  intcurity  did  not  nincli 
r('(|nir('  tlic  cnrorccincnt  nf  laws,  Ik^mii  nnw  (o  tliink  tln'in- 
sclvt'S  al>o\  (•  tiicni.     'I'u  a  d('|iut(Ml    mtliority,  the   sduicc  nl' 

wliicli  I.iy  Ixy 1  llic  Atlantic,  tlicy   paid  little  delVrciK-e  ; 

and  rr(»ni  t licit-  iK'iyhhors  of  New  Ilanipshirc  ;ind  Cnnnccti- 
ciit,  \v1h»  bordered  on  tlieir  tVontiers,  and  seised  will)  tliciii 
in  tile  colonial  wars,  tliey  liad  little  to  learn  of  loyally  of 
sid)inission.  Tliese  pcopli-  tlicy  held  in  ni-eat  contempt, 
l)ofli  as  soldiers  and  statesmen  ;  and  yet,  I'rom  tlieir  rre(|uent 
intercourse  witli  those  who  talkcil  of  law  and  politics  in 
their  peculiar  uncouth  dialed  i>icessant  ly,  they  iiiseiisilily 
adopted  many  of  their  notions.  Thei-c  is  a  certain  point  of 
stal)le  happiness  at  which  oiir  imperlV'ct  iial  ure  merely  seems 
to  ai'rivc  ;  for  the  verv  materials  of  which  it  is  formed 
contain  the  seeds  of  its  destruction.  This  was  the  case 
here  :  thai  peaceful  and  desirahic  eipiality  of  conditions, 
from  which  so  many  comforts  resulted,  in  process  of  lime 
occasione(l  an  aversion  to  sujieriiu's,  t()  whom  (hey  were  not 
ac(',ustome(|,  and  an  exaii^t-rated  jealousy  of  tlu'  power  which 
was  exercised  for  their  own  safety  and  comfort.  'I'lieii' 
manners  uns(tphisti<'atet],  and  their  morals  in  a  LCreat  mea- 
sure uucorru|»te(|,  led  them  to  rci;;trd  with  unjiistiliahle  scorn 
and  aversion  those  st  ranu'ers  who  hronifht  with  them  the 
manners  of  more  polished,  though  less  pure,  communities. 
I'roud  of  their  haui^hty  hluntuess,  which  daily  increase<l 
with  their  wealth  and  security,  they  Ix'nan  t<»  consider 
respectfid  and  polite  Itehavior  as  a  <leu,ree  of  servility  and 
duplicity  ;   while  they  revoltetl  at  tlio   pt>vver  I'xercised  over 


tl 


lemselves,  an<l  verv  reluctan'lv  ma< 


U'  tl 


le  I'xertions   necH'S- 


sary  foi-  their  own  [protection,  tiny  showed  (;v(.'ry  inclination 
to  usurp  the  territories  of  theii' Indian  allies  ;  and  use  to  the 


li 


<i\ 


.AA 


1(10 


Mkmoius  oi'  AN  Amkrk'an  Lady, 


^. 


very  nttnost  tlic  power  tlicy  li:i(l  ;i('(|nii(Ml  over  tlu'in,  l>y 
SM|»|iIyiii.i^  tlu'ir  wiiiits. 

At  the  IIIktmI  (uldc  of  Aiml  Scluiylrr,  where  there  was 
always  iiilellii^eiice,  just  iintions,  mid  ijfnod  Itreetlinu;  to  bo 
met  with,  hoth  aiiioiiij  the  owners  and  their  truest s,  many 
had  their  prejudices  softened  down,  their  minds  enlari^etl, 
and  tliei-  maimers  improvetl.  TIkmc  lliey  met  ISritish  otVieers 
of  rank  and  merit,  and  jiersons  in  authority  ;  and  h'arnt 
tiiat  the  former  were  not  artitieial  eoxeomhs,  nor  the  latter 
pett\-  '  rams,  as  they  would otht-rwise  he  very  apt  to  imaLjine. 
JK'.-  !;iey  were  aeeiistomed  to  find  authority  respected  on 
iUr  ■'■■.■  and,  and  on  the  other  to  see  the  natural  rights  of 
m;;;  simh  •  mI,  and  the  utmost  ahhorn  nee  expressi-ii  of  all 
the  sopliisliy  hy  which  the  credulous  were  misled  hy  the 
crafty,  to  liavca  code  of  morality  for  their  treatment  of 
heathens,  flilVereiit  from  that  which  directed  them  in  tlii'ir 
dealiiiu'  with  Christians.  Here  a  st'leclion  of  tlu'  best  and 
worthiest,  of  the  did'erent  <-liai'acters  ami  classes  wi'  have 
heeii  descrihiiiif,  met  ;  and  wi-rc^  taught,  not  only  to  tolerate, 
hut  to  estet'iii  eai'h  other  ;  and  it  re(piired  the  calm,  ti'iii- 
perate  wisdom,  and  I'asy  versatile  maimei's  of  my  friend  to 
hriiiu-  this  about.  It  is,  when  they  are  called  to  act  in  a  new 
scene,  and  amoiio- pi'ople  different  from  any  they  had  known 
or  imagined,  that  the  folly  of  the  wise  and  the  weakness  of 
the  strong  become  discernable. 

iNIany  otlicers  justly  esti-emetl,  possessed  of  capacity, 
learning,  and  much  knowledge,  both  of  the  usages  of  tlie 
world,  and  the  art  of  war,  from  the  want  of  certain  habit- 
udes, which  nothing  but  e\)>erience  can  teach,  wi're  dis- 
(pialitieij  for  the  warfare  of  tlu'  woods  ;  and  from  a  seer  t 
c(»ntempt  with  which  they  regarded  tlu'  )>iiint  simplicity 
and  plain  appearance  of  the  settli-rs,  wt'ii'  !iot    amenable  to 


theii 


r  atlvice   on 


tl 


lesc 


iiointt 


Tl 


H'V  wi-re  not   aware  how 


much  they  wcri-  to  <lepeiid  on  them  for  the  means  of  carrv- 
ingoii  their  opei'ations  ;  and  by  rude  or  negligent  tri'atmeiit 


I  _xL>ir8i'a>iii*v»Mii"ii  rihiirinrtiisBWMMMBBi 


Mi;.M(ill!S    (tF    AN    A.MKKKAN     LaDY. 


161 


r- 


JJt' 


SO  (lisiiiislcd  tlu'in,  lliMt  tlicy  witlilu'ltl  tlic  horses,  oxen, 
w.'iy'oiis,  etc.,  wliicli  were  to  lie  pniil  lor,  iiici'cly  to  show 
thfir  iinl('|iciMUiicc  ;  well  kiiowinti'  tlic  dicidcil  mi  id  detested 
militMry  power,  e\t'ii  if  eoercixc  measures  were  resorted  to, 
Would  liMNc  no  ehniice  for  redress  in  theireoiirts  ;  and  eve?' 
tlie  civil  autliorilies  were  cautious  of  doinii"  any  tliinij  so  un- 
popular as  to  decide  in  favor  ol'  the  military.  Tlius,  till 
|»rop<'rIy  inslructetl,  those  i»ewildered  stranycrs  were  apt  to 
<ht  the  thiuLT  ol  all  others  that  annihilates  a  t'eehle  authority  ; 
threaten  wher«'  they  could  not  strike,  and  lorft'lt  respect 
where  the\  could  not  enlorce  ohedienci'  :  a  failure  of  this 
kind  clou'^-ed  and  eid'eehled  all  their  measures  ;  for  without 
the  hearty  coiiperation  of  the  inhahitants  in  furnishing; 
|»rere(piisiti's,  iiothini;-  could  <;d  or  .;  t-ountry  without 
roads,  or  puMic  vehicles,  for  the  comxc'  ce  of  their  war- 
liki'  stores.  Another  I'ock  they  v,  .'i  api  to  run  upon  was, 
a  neu'lecl  of  the  Indi:ins,  whoi..  (  '<■>  neithei'  sutlicient Iv 
feared  as  eui'inies,  nor  \  :dued  as  fru  ,i.ls  :  till  taught  to  do 
sohy  maturer  judi^inents.  Of  <  ""raddock's  defeat  was 
an  instance  ;  he  was  l)rave,  e.\pi'rience(l,  and  versed  in  all 
military  science  :  his  eonlidence  in  which,  occasioned  tlie 
(lustnietlon  of  himself  and  his  army.  He  considered  those 
counsels  tliat  warned  him,  how  little  mameuvres  or  nunihors 
would  avail  in  the  close  |irison  of  innunu'rahle  boujj^hs,  as 
the  result  of  fei'hle  caution  ;  and  rmirclied  lus  army  to 
certain  ruin,  in  the  most  Itrave  and  scientific  manner  ima<^in- 
al)k'.  l'|ton  certain  occasions  there  is  no  knowledge  so 
valuahle  as  that  of  our  own  ignorance. 

At  the  Flats,  the  self-riujhted  boor  leanu'd  civilization 
and  subordination  :  the  hii^h  bi-ed  and  hiyh  spirited  field 
officergentleness,  accommodation,  and  respect  for  unpolished 
worth  and  untaught  \  alor.  There,  too,  the  shrewd  and 
deeply  reflecting  Indian  learnt  to  respect  the  liritish  cha- 
racter, and  to  confide  in  that  of  the  settlers  ;  by  seeing  the 


M 


\i 


1(12 


M|;M()I  us    OF    AN    AmKUKAN    FiAItY, 


best  spt'ciiiu'iis  of  bolli  actiiiiX  ciUididly  towai^ls  cacli  otluT, 
and  ^('lu'roiisly  to  iiiiiisclf. 

IMv  friend  was  iiutst  particiilarlv  calculated  to  be  tlie 
coadjutor  of  her  excellent  consort,  in  thus  sultduiuif  tlie 
spirits  of  different  classes  of  people,  stronj^ly  disposed  to 
entertain  a  repulsive  dislike  of  ea«'li  other;  and  by  leadinir 
them  to  the  chastene<l  enjoyment  of  the  same?  social  plea- 
sure, under  the  ansjMces  of  those,  whose  ifo^nl  will  they 
wei'e  all  ecpially  convinced  of,  she  contriveil  to  smooth 
down  asperities,  and  assimilate  those  various  characters,  in 
a  maniu'r  that  could  not  be  done  by  any  other  means. 

Accustomed  fnnn  chihlhood,  both  from  the  general  state 
of  society,  and  the  erdarsjjed  minds  of  her  particular  associ- 
ates, to  take  liberal  views  of  everythinj^,  and  to  look  f(U"ward 
on  all  occasions  to  conse(pU'nces,  she  steadily  followed  her 
wise  and  benevolent  pur|»(»ses,  without  being  attracti'd  l)y 
potty  li^ralifications,  or  repelled  by  petty  disu^usts.  Neithei* 
induenced  by  female  vanity,  or  femah'  fastidiousness,  she; 
mijfht  very  tindy  say  of  popularity,  as  FalstatI'  says  of  Wor- 
cester's rebellion,  "  it  lav  in  her  wav  and  she  found  it  :"  for 
no  one  ever  took  less  pains  to  obtain  it  ;  and  if  the  weii^ht 
<tf  s  did  usefulness  and  benetici'iice  ha<l  n»»t,as  it  never  fails 
to  do  in  the  l(»n<^  run,  forced  appi'obation,  her  nntdo  of  con- 
duct infjj  herself,  thoui^h  it  mi<j;ht  gi'eatly  endear  her  to  her 
]»arti<^idar  associates,  was  not  conciliating  t»j  common  minds. 
The  fact  was,  that,  thoutfh  her  benevolence  extended  through 
the  whole  circle  of  those  to  whom  she  was  known,  sl»e  liad 
too  many  objects  of  importance  in  view  to  scpnmder  tinie 
upon  ind)'.'cility  and  insigniticance.  Nor  could  she  find  lei- 
sure for  the  routine  of  ordinary  visits,  or  inclination  fortlu' 
insijtidity  of  oi-dinary  chit-chat. 

If  people  of  the  description  here  alluded  to,  could  forwafd 
any  plan  advantageous  to  the  public,  or  to  any  of  thosi; 
persons  in  whom  slu'  was  particularly  inti'rested,  she  would 
treat  them  occasionally  with  much  civility  ;   for  slie  had  all 


."-3BSW 


m 


MkMoFHS    (IF    AN    AmmHK'AN    LaKV, 


1«13 


the  [((iwcr  i4'  su|)('nt»r  iiiti'llci't  without  tlic  pride  of  it  ;  but 
could  not  sulMiiit  to  a  |K'i-|»('tual  sacritii'i'  to  forms  and  trifles. 
This,  ill  her,  was  nut  only  jiistiliahh',  Imt  laudalth'  ;  yet  it 
is  not  nieiitioiKMl  as  an  exain|»h',  hecause  a  ease  can  very 
rarely  occur,  where  the  heiielit  resulting;  to  others,  from 
makiii!^  one's  own  path,  an<l  forsakiiiLC  the  ordinary  road, 
can  he  so  essential  ;  fi'wever  can  have  a  sjiliereof  action  s(» 
jteculiar  or  so  important  as  her's  ;  and  very  few  iinU't'd  have 
so  soniid  a  jiidLrmeiit  to  direct  them  in  clioosiii;;,  or  so  much 
fortitude  to  support  them  in  pnrsuini;;,  a  way  of  tlieir  own. 
In  ordinary  matters,  wiiere  lu'ithei'  religion  nor  morality 
is  coiicenicd,  it  is  much  safer  to  trust  to  the  common  sense 
of  mankind  in  ^'eneral,  than  to  our  own  particular  fancy. 
Siiii^ularity  of  conductor  opinion  is  so  often  the  result  tif 
vanity  or  affectation,  that  wlioever  xcntures  u|>oii  it  ought 
to  he  a  person  whose  exampk'  is  looked  up  to  by  others. 
A  person  too  great  to  follow,  ought  to  be  great  enough  to 
lead,  lint  though  her  convi'rsation  was  reserved  for  those 
she  }U'eferred,  her  advice,  ctunpassion,  and  good  offices  were 
always  given  where  most  neecled. 


if    i 


i 


4 


CIIArTKll  XXIX. 

MaKA.MK's  AduI'TKI)  CllILDHEN  SiSTER  SuSAN. 

J  KAIJS  passed  away  in  this  manner,  varied  only  by  the 
extension  of  that  ])roteetion  and  education  which  they  gave 
to  a  succession  of  nepliews  and  nieces  of  the  colonel  or 
Mrs.  Schuyler.  These  they  did  not  take  from  mere  com- 
j)assion,  as  all  their  relations  were  in  easy  circumstances  ; 
but  influenced  by  various  considerations,  such  as,  in  some 
cases,  tlie  death  of  the  mother  of  the  children,  or  perhaps 
the  father  ;  in  others,  where  their  nieces  or  nephews  married 
very  early,  and  lived  in  the  houses  of  their  respective  parents, 


I* 


■I    ji 


i 


1 1 


i 


M'A 


MllMnlllS    (tK    AN     A  M  lilt  HA  N     liAMY. 


wliili'  llii'ir  yiiiiii^'  I'Miiiily  iiieri'Mst'il  iM'I'on'  llicy  luul  :i  nt't- 
llcij  lininc  ;  ur  in  iiistiiiici's  wlicrc,  fruiii  ilic  rciiioti'  sitiuiliniis 
ill  wliicli  tlic  i»:in'Uts  lived,  tlicy  foiiM  nut  so  ciisily  cilucato 
tlu'in.  Iinl('c<l  the  (litViciilty  of  ^ctliiii;  a  suilahlc  ('ducatiou 
foi-  cliililrcii,  whose  |iarciils  were  aniliitioiis  I'm"  tlirir  iiii- 
|»r()\('iii('iit,  was  i;n':it  ;  and  a  family  so  well  rt'milatcd  as 
licr's,  and  t'r('<|iiciitt'd  l»y  siicli  society,  was  in  itscH"  an 
.•icadcinv,  IhiIIi  lor  the  Im-sI  morals  and  manners.  Wlieti 
|>eo|ile  Inive  cliildren  l»oni  to  tlicm,  tlicy  must  siilimit  totlie 
ordinary  l<>t  ol"  liumanity  ;  and  il'  lliey  liaxc  not  ilie  liaiipi- 

ness  of  mcctinii,'  with  many  tr I   i|nalities  to  cnltivate  and 

rejoice  over,  there  is  not  him;  left  for  tliem  Imt  to  c\crt 
llieinsehi's  to  the  ntmost  to  refonn  and  ameliorate  what 
will  admit  of  im|iro\ cnu-nl.  They  nnist  carelnlly  weed  and 
|»ro|»  ;  if  the  soil  jncMlncc  aci-op  hotli  feeltic  and  re<lnndant, 
alVeetion  will  liliiid  them,  to  many  defects  ;  impeiions  tinty 
will  stimnlate  them,  and  ho|ii',  soothing,  howevei'  deceit  fnl, 
will  sn)»|»orl  them.  I>nt  x-.  lien  people  have  the  privilege,  as 
in  this  ease,  <tf  choosinj;  a  child,  they  art'  fairly  entitled  to 
select  the  most  promisini;'.  'I'his  selection  I  uiulerslood 
always  to  havt'  ln'cn  left  to  Annt  Schnyler  ;  and  it  ap|>eared, 
Ity  the  event,  to  jiave  heen  generally  a  happy  one.  I'Mfteen, 
either  nephews  or  nieces,  or  the  children  of  sncli,  who  lia<l 
hi'cn  nndei-  her  care,  all  li\C(l  to  i;ri>w  np  and  <f()  out  into 
the  world  :  all  acted  their  parts  so  as  to  do  credit  to  flu' 
instruction  they  had  received,  and  the  example  they  looked 
up  to,  Uesides  these,  ihev  had  maiiv  wlnnn  tliev  hrounht, 
for  two  or  three  years  to  their  house  to  resi<le  ;  either 
Iti'canse  the  familv  thev  came  from  was  at  the  time  crowdecj 
with  v<»un.tier  chihlreii,  or  hecause  they  were  at  a  time  of 
life  when  a  vear  or  tW(»  spent  in  such  s((ciety  as  was  there 
assendded,  niij;ht  not  only  form  their  nninners,  hut  i:;ive  a 
hias  to  their  futun- character. 

;\hout   the  year   IT'io,  they  In-ou^ht   lM)me  a  nephew^  of 
the  colonel's,  whose  father  having  a  largt-  family,  and  hav- 


r 


r 


\' 


\' 


MiiMotHs  OF  AN   .\mi;hi<'\n  L.\t>v 


inf) 


l*\ 


f 


iiii;,  fu   llic   Im'sI   (if  my  rcci>ll('flit»ii,  Inst    his   wife,  entirely 

LTMNC  (ivelllle  liny  t<i|||e  |.|utecli(i||  uf  ||is  lel.lt  ii  ill.  Tllis 
Imy  w.is  Ilis  iiiiele's  ^'nd-sdii,  :iii<l  c'ln-'il  I'liilip  alhT  liilii. 
lie  \\;is:i  ;;re:it  l"a\  nrite  in  t  lie  r.iinily  ;  lur  tlniiiu'li  :i|i|i;i- 
I'eiitiy  tliuiiLflilless  :ini|  "idiiy,  lie  liinl  ;i  very  u;<»(h|  teni|ier, 
;in(l  (|iiiek  |i:iifs  ;  iiinl  \\;is  ii|iiiii  the  wlmle  .'in  iiiu;eni(ins, 
lively,  . •111(1  .'iniiisiniLJ  <'liiltl.  Me  was  ;i  very  lireiit  I'MVorile, 
and  eiiiitiiiiied  to  he  so  in  siuiie  measure,  when  he  t;rew  ii|i. 
'I'liere  wereutlier  ehildl'eli,  wlinse  names  ;Mid  relalinn  to 
my  friends  I  dd  iidt  reineiiilier,  in  the  house  at  the  same 
time  ;  lint  none  that  staid  so  loni;,  or  were  so  miicli  talked 
of  as  this.  There  certainly  never  were  |>e<i|iie  who  re('ei\cd 
s<i  miieli  eoin|iaiiy,  made  so  respeelalije  a  tiii'iire  in  life,  and 
ahvavs  kept  so  hirjic  a  lamilv  ahont  them  with  so  little 
tnninlt  or  hustle,  or  indeed  ;it  so  nioderai.  an  e.\|>eiise. 
What  their  ineoine  was  I  caiiiiot  say  ;  Imt  am  sure  it  eonid 
not  h.'ive  lieeii  w  h:it  we  should  think  adcfpi.-ite  to  the  ijood 
they  did,  and  the  hosiiitality  :ind  heiielieence  which  tiiey 
praeti  ('(■(!  :  for  the  rent  sol'  lam  Is  wt-re  then  of  so  little  v.aliie, 
that  tlioii<fh  they  possessi'd  ;i  eonsiderahle  estate  in  another 
part  of  the  country,  only  very  moderate  profits  could  result 
from  it  ;  hut,  indeed,  from  the  simplicity  <if  dress,  etc.,  it 
was  easier  ;  thonsjfh  in  that  ivspect,  too,  they  preserx cd  a 
kind  of  diLfiiily,  and  went  heyond  others  in  the  materials, 
thoiii^h  not  the  form  of  their  ;ipparel.  ^'et  their  priiici|i;il 
expense  was  ;i  most  plentiful  and  well  ordere(|  tahle,  «|uite 
in  the  Mni^lish  style  :  which  was  a  kind  of  innovation  :  hut 
so  many  strangers  frcMjueiited  the  houses  of  the  three 
brothers,  th;it  it  was  necessary  to  accommodate  themselves 
t<i  the  hahits  of  their  j^iiests. 

I*i"ter  lieinn'  '"  '"•'^  voiith  an  exti-nsive  trader,  had  spent 
much  time  in  ('jinafhi,  amoni;  the  nohlesse  there  ;  and  had 
sei'ved  in  the  continental  levies.  He  had  a  tine  coinmand- 
iiii^  titfuiv,  and  quite  the  air  and  aihlress  of  a  ifeiitleman, 
and  was,  when  1  knew  him,  an  old  tnan. 


i 

I' 

11! 


I 


^m 


^^^;lMo^l{8  of  an  American  Ladv. 


Tiitcllit^cnt  :iii(l  i>loasin;jj  in  a  vt'iy  liii^li  <lc\<^rce,  Jcromiah 
liatl  too  iiiiu'h  laiiiiliar  kiinliK'ss  to  l>c'  looktMl  u])  to  like  his 
brotluT.  \vt  he  also  liatl  a  vci'y  tjoo<l  uii(U'rstaii(liii<;, 
iffcat  ri-Miikiu'ss  and  all"al»ility,  and  was  (IcscrilK'il  l)y  all 
who  knew  !iini,  as  the  very  soul  ol'  cordial  friendship  and 
wai'ni  ht-nrvolciKH'.  Hi-  married  a  polished  ajid.  well  edii- 
catcfl  person,  whose  jtareiits  (Krencli  proiestants)  wore  peo- 
ple of  Mie  liist  fashion  in  New  York,  and  had  given  with 
her  a  good  fortune,  a  thinj.;;  very  unusual  in  that  country. 
They  used  in  tlu'  early  years  of  their  niarriatje,  to  pay  a 
visit  every  winter  to  their  c<»uiu'ctions  at  New  York,  who 
|iassed  part  of  eveiy  suiiiinei'  with  tlieni.  This  connection, 
as  well  as  tliat  with  the  l''Iats,  yave  an  air  of  jMilisI*^  and  a 
tincture  of  elenMiice  to  this  fiiniily  heyond  others;  and 
there  were  fi'W  so  u'ay  and  social.  This  chei'rfuiness  was 
su|iporte(l  l»y  a  larti'e  family,  fourteen,  I  think,  of  very 
promisini^  children,  'i'hese,  howevei",  inlu'ritiiitj;  fi'om  their 
mother''s  lamily  a  delicate  constitution,  diecl  one  after 
another  as  thev  fanu'  to  maturity:  one  onlv,  a  dauiihter, 
lived  to  he  marrii-d  ;  hut  died  after  havinijf  had  one  son  and 
one  <lau!;:hter. 

I  saw  the  mother  of  this  large  family,  aft»r  outliving  her 
own  children,  and  a  si  ill  greater  numlier  of  brothers  aiul 
sisters,  who  had  all  settletl  in  life,  prosj»erous  and  *!oui'ish- 
ing,  when  she  marr!e(l  ;  I  s.".\v  her  a  helpless  hed-ri<ldeii 
invalid  ;  without  .any  remaining  tie,  \n\t  a  sordid  grasping 
son-in-law,  and  t  wo  gr.ind-children,  l>rought  up  at  adist.ance 
from  her. 

With  her,  too,  I  was  a  grt'at  favorite,  heciuise  I  listene<l 
with  interest  to  her  details  of  i-arly  hajipiness,  and  suhse- 
(pient  woes  .and  privations  ;  all  of  which  shi'  described  to 
me  with  great  .anim.ation,  .and  the  most  patlu'tie  ehnpience. 
How  much  a  p.atient  listener,  who  has  sym]>:ithy  .and  interest 
to  bestow  on  a  t.ale  of  wo,  will  hear!  and  li<»w  all'ecting  is 
the    I'espect  and   comp.assion  even  of   an  .artless   child,  to   a 


t 


i:  MO  IKS    (tF    AN     A.Ml'MtlCAN     Ii.\l>V. 


lu'iirt  that  has  felt  tlic  liiltcnicss  i)f  iiciiltct,  and  known  what 
it  was  to  pine  in  soliiary  sadness  !  .Man\  a  hlcak  day  liavc 
I  walkcfl  a  niih-  to  \  isii  this  hhistcd  ticc,  which  the  >ioiin 
of  cahiniity  had  stri|»|icd  of  e\i'ry  h-af  !  and  snrcly  in  the 
house  oi"  sorrow  the  heart  is  niach-  hetter. 

From  this  chronicle  oi"  past  limes,  I  deriveij  much  informa- 
tion respect in!4'  onr  j^ood  annt  ;  such  as  slie  woid<l  not  li:i\e 
u;iven  me  herself.  Tlie  kindness  of  lliis  ueiierons  sistei'-in- 
law  was  indee(l  thi-  only  lii;ht  that  dione  on  the  declining; 
(hiys  of  sister  Snsan,  as  she  was  wont  atVectionateiy  to  call 
her.  What  a  sad  naiaalivc  wonld  the  det.ail  of  this  pnor 
woman's  sorntws  alVord  I  which,  however,  sin- did  iidI  relate 
in  a  (|uernlons  manner  ;  for  her  soiil  was  snlHliied  l)V  alHic- 
tion,  and  she  did  not  '*  monrnas  those  that  liaxc  no  ho|»e.  " 
One  instance  of  seIf-accns;ition  I  inns!  recoid.  Slie  nsed  to 
descrilie  the  family  she  left  as  iteiiiLi;  no  less  happy,  nniteij, 
ami  highly  prosperous,  than  that  into  which  she  came:  if, 
indeed,  she  conld  he  s.iid  to  leave  it,  uoinii'  as  she  did  for 
some  nnmths  every  y«'ar  to  her  mot  lier's  huiise,  whose  darling" 
she  was,  and  who,  heinn'  only  til'leen  years  older  than  her- 
self, was  more  like  an  elder  sister,  iinitc<|  hy  fond  all'ectiitn. 

She  went  to  New  ^'ork  to  lie  in,  at  hermotlu-r's  house,  of 
her  ftniror  live  tirsl  children  ;  her  mother  at  the  same  lime 
ha\ini(  children  as  yoniiLi'  as  hit's  :  and  thus  caressed  at 
home  hy  a  fond  husli.ind,  and  received  with  exultation  i»y 
till'  teiiderest  parents;  younn',  uay,  and  fiut  iiiiate,  her 
removals  were  only  variations  lA'  felicity  ;  iuil  Lii'iililied  in 
every  wish,  slu'  knew  not  what  sorrow  was,  iiur  how  to 
receivcthe  unwelcome  st ranu'i'i'  when  it  arriveil.  ,\t  length 
she  went  down  to  her  father's  as  usual,  tu  lie  in  oi'  her 
fourth  child,  which  died  when  it  was  eiuht  days  <ild.  She 
then  screamed  with  ay'ony,  and  tohl  her  iimtln'r,  who  tried 
l»v  pious  counsel  to  allev  iate  her  uriel,  that  she  was  the  most, 
miserahlc  of  human  Iteinn's  ;  lor  that  no  one  uascapaMe  of 
lovini;   their  child    so  well  as  she  did    her's,  and    t-oiild  not 


i; 


111 


J 


ii 


108 


AfKAKiniS    OF    AN    A.MKIUCAN    LaDY 


tliiiik  l)y  wli.'it  sill  she  ii.iil  provnkcil  tliis  afHiclioii  :  <in:illy, 
sill'  claspt'il  tlic  (lead  iiit'aiit  to  lici'  l)()S()iii,  aiid  was  not,  with- 
out till-  iitiiinst  ilillifMill y,  it('rsiiail('(l  to  pai't  with  it  ;  while 
her  iVaiitii'  ^ricf  out  cant'd  all  (h-conuii.  A!'t«'r  tliis,  said 
shf,  "  I  ha\('  seen  my  tliirtt'cii  u:i"owii-ii|»  chihlicii,  aiul  my 
dear  and  (•\<'('lh'nf  hushand,  all  carried  out  of  tliis  house  to 
the  <4ia\('  :  I  haxc  lost  tlie  worthiest  and  most  alVectioiiate 
jiareiits,  hrothers  and  sisters,  such  as  lew  evi'f  had  ;  and 
however  my  heart  mii;lit  he  pierced  with  sori'ow,  it  was 
still  more  deeply  ]iierced  with  a  c<»nvietion  of  my  own  past 
impiety  and  ingratitude  ;  and  under  all  this  afMiction  I  wejit 
silently  and  alone  ;  and  my  oiilcry  or  lamentation  was  never 
heard  l>y  iiKU'tal."      What  a  lesson  was  this  ! 

This  om-e  much  lo\('<|  and  much  respected  W(Uiian,  have 
I  seen  silling"  in  her  Iteij,  where  she  had  heeii  loiiii"  conliiied, 
iienlecled  l»y  all  those  whom  she  had  known  in  lu'r  lielter 
days,  excepiiiin'  Aunt  Schuyler,  who,  iinw  ieldy  and  unlit  lor 
visitint^as  she  was,  came  out  two  or  three  times  in  the  year 
to  see  liei,  and  constantly  sent  her  kindly  tokens  of  reniein- 
hraiice.  Had  she  l)een  more  careful  to  preserve  liei" 
independence,  and  had  she  accommodated  iierself  more  to 
the  plain  maimers  of  the  people  she  lived  aiuoiin',  slu'  mi<fht 
in  her  adversity  have  met  with  more  attention;  hut  too 
conscious  of  her  al<aiuinents,  lively,  rcLjardless,  and  perhaps 
vain,  ami  contidcnt  of  heiii^  suirouii<le(|  and  adiiiiriMl  l»y  a 
liaml  of  kinsfolk,  she  was  at  no  pains  to  conciliate  others  ; 
she  had,  tod,  some  expensive  liahits  :  which,  when  the  tide 
of  prosperity  ehhed,  could  meet  witii  little  indulgence 
aiiiont;*  a  people  who  never  entertained  an  idea  of  livini:; 
lieyoinl  their  circumstances. 

Thus,  even  am  mi;  those  tinpttlished  people,  one  initiht 
learn  how  severelv  the  insolence  of  prosperity  t-aii  lie  avenoed 
on  us,  even  hy  those  we  have  despised  and  slinhteil  ;  and 
who  perhaps  wi'ie  very  much  our  inferiors  in  every  respect  : 
though  hoth   hmnanity  and   ynod  sense  should  prevent  our 


'^- 


»; 
^ 


I 

I 


n 


Mi;.M(iIl{S    OF    AN    A.MKKICAN    LaDY. 


IT)!) 


nips 

■rs  ; 

'lU'C 


inortityiiisj;  llicm,  by  siiowinLC  oiirsclvt's  sciisihic  of  (hat  cir- 
cimistaiicc. 

Tliis  year  was  a  fatal  (iiic  lo  the  families  of  tlic  tlirce 
limtlK  rs.  .Icrciiiiali,  iiiipaliciit  of  tjic  micasiiu'ss  t'auscfj  liy 
a  well  iij)on  liis  iicck,  siilimittcd  to  uikU'I'^o  an  o|K'ratioii  : 
wliicli,  Ix'iiiif  iiiiskillfully  iiciloi-iiu'tl,  cimIcM  fatally,  to  tlic 
uiis|icakaltlc  urit-f  of  his  IdutJicis  and  of  aunt,  who  waspar- 
liciilaily  attaclu'il  to  him,  and  often  dwelt  on  tiie  recollec- 
tion of  his  siii^ularlv  compassionate  dis|iosit ion,  the  u'enerous 
openness  of  his  temper,  and  peculiar  warmth  of  his  atVec- 
tions.  lie.  indee<|,  was  "  taken  aw  ay  from  the  e\  il  to  come  ;" 
for  of  his  Iar<4'»'  family,  one  after  the  other  went  off,  in  con- 
se(|Uence  of  the  weakness  of  their  huiLCs  ;  which  withstood 
none  of  the  ordinary  diseases  of  small-po.\,  measles,  etc., 
till  in  a  few  years,  there  was  not  one  remainiiiL;". 

'I'liese  weri'  nu'laiicintly  inroads  on  the  |ieace  of  her,  who 
miiiht  ti-uly  he  said,  to  '•  watch  and  weep,  and  pray  for  all  ;" 
lor  nothiiiLC  could  exceed  our  ydod  aunt's  care  ami  ten<li'r- 
ness  foi-  this  i'eehle  family  ;  who  seeme(l  tlowers  which 
mei-ely  Idoonied  to  wither  in  their  prime  ;  for  they  wt-re,  as 
is  often  the  <-ase  wit''  those  who  i.dierit  such  disonh'I's, 
heautifnl,  svitli  <mickness  of  i-ompi'ehension,  and  ahilities 
hevoiid  their  a<j;e 


CIIAPTKIJ   XXX. 

Dkaiii  or  Vo(Tp(G  I'im.ii' S(  mvi.ioit  —  So(  ii:rv  ai'iiie 

Fi.Ars. 


A: 


.NO'TIIMIJ  very  heavy  soi-row  followeij  tlu-  death  of 
.Feremiah  ;  I'cti'V,  heini;-  the  I'ldest  Itrother,  his  son,  as  I 
I'ormerly  nu-ntioned,  was  considt-red  and  etjucated  as  heir 
to  the  colonel.  It  was  Peti-r's  hous(!  that  stood  next  to  the 
coloners  ;  their  dweHin<j;  lieing  arranged  acconling  to  iheir 


il 


i 


II  r 


f 


I 


170 


Memuiu.s  uf  an  Amekicax  Lady, 


.•it^cs,  the  joutli  was  not  in  the  least  I'straiiutHl  iVoni  liis  own 
family  (who  wciv  half  a  niiit'  oil"),  Ity  his  rcsich'nct'  in  liis 
nnch-'s,  an<l  was  pccniiariy  cntU'aicMl  to  all  tin-  lamilics 
(who  ri'uaifU'd  him  as  thr  rutnrc  head  of  their  lionse),  l»y 
his  j^entle  manners  and  excellent  <|iialities.  With  all  thi'se 
personal  advantages,  which  distinn'uished  that  comely  race, 
and  which  t;i\e  Lfract'  and  attraction  to  the  iinfoMini;  hlos- 
soms  of  virtue,  at  an  earlv  aue  he  was  sent  to  a  kind  of 
collejXe,  then  estahlislu-d  in  New  .leisey  ;  and  he  was  there 
instructed,  as  far  as  in  that  )tlace  he  coidd  he.  lie  s(»on 
formed  an  attaclinu-nt  to  a  la<ly  still  younu'er  than  liimsi'lf, 
hut  so  well  In-outiht  u|i,  and  so  i'es|K'ctahly  ■'  nnected,  that 
his  friends  were  <freatlv  itleased  with  the  marriai^e,  early  as 
it  was,  and  his  father,  with  the  hiuhe>t  satisfaction,  re- 
cei\('i|  the  yoiuiL;-  coii|i|e  into  the  house.  There  they  were 
thedeliuht  and  o!-name;it  of  the  family,  an"  ed  aniony'st 
them  as  acomnii  n  Idessin^-.  'riieliist  y  aroi  j'^.-ir  inarriam' 
a  flaULfhler  was  horn  to  them,  wlnim  they  n;:ju  I  Cornelia  ; 
ami  the  next,  a  son  whom  tlicy  call.'d  IN  !'  •  'I'he  followin<; 
year,  which  was  the  same  tli..(  de]ei>.i'  jliein  of  their 
Itrothcr  .leremiah,  |iro\('i!  f.iial  to  ;s,  op.  ;i  nanv  children 
and  younij  [leople,  in  c(iiise(j!ieiic(  '  an  eiiiiemial  diseas*', 
which  e\(";  \uw  and  then  iistil  !o  a|i|ie,(i  in  th«'  country, 
and  made  ui.a'i  Ir;  ■  -.  It  was  called  the  |»uritle  o"  spotted 
fever,  and  was  pd'haiM"  (»f  t'lr  putrid  ki'  d  :  lie  tuat  as  it 
may,  il  proved  t.i;ai  (o  (his  interevlino-  yoimir  <-onple. 
I'clci',  will'  had  lost  his  wife  Itiit  a  short  tini''  l>cfi>n',  was 
entirely  <i\crwliclmed  hy  this  sti'oke  :  a  hardnes>  ul  hearini;, 
which  l)a<l  Im-cu  gradually  increasing'  before,  depri\  cd  him 
of  the  consolations  he  miijht  have  dcrivcil  fiom  >ociety, 
lie  encouraued  his  second  son  to  marry  ;  shut  himself  up  for 
the  most  part  in  his  own  apartment  ;  and  liccame,  in  ell'ect, 
one  of  those  lay  hrolhers  I  liasc  formerly  descrihed,  ^  et, 
when  time  had  lilnnled  the  vi\jj;c  of  this  keen  allliction, 
niaiiy  yi-ars  after,  wIicm   \ve  lisei)  a(    I  he  I'Mats,   he  used  to 


■^J 


Mkmoihs  di'  AN   A.MKincAN   Lai>y. 


171 


tlu'ir 
Idit'ii 
sense, 
llitrv, 
utte(l 
•  IS  it 
iilple. 
,    \\  MS 

I  I'll  I. IT, 
i  liiiii 
ictv. 

|.  r.»r 

led, 
Vet, 

I  i«>ii, 

eil   to 


i 


I 


visit  us  :  Mini  tli<>Ui:;li  lie  diil  in»t  lieMr  well,  lie  eoiiverseil 
witli  lii'eMt  spiiit,  Mini  WMsfiiH  ul' Miieeilute  aii<l  iiilnniiMt ion. 
.MeMiiwIiile,  .MadMiiie  <\'\i\  not  sink  iiinler  this  eMlMinity, 
tlioiiir||  slie  felt  it  MS  inneii  as  lier  liiishMinl,  Imt  sii|)|Mirte<l 
liilil  ;  Mini  exelteil  lielseil'  toextraet  emisolation  fldlil  |>er- 
l'oi-inin!4  the  iliities  of  m  iiiotlnT  to  the  iiifMiit  who  was  now 
'(eeoiiie  tlu-  re|iri'seiitMt i ve  of  tli«'  laiiiily.  I/ittle  I'eter  was 
aeeoidiimly  ltroiii;lit  home,  mikI  siieeeetletl  to  all  that  eari! 
Mini  MtVeetion  ol'  which  his  JMther  had  formerly  heeii  the 
ohjeet,  while  ConieliM  Was  taken  home  to  Jersey,  to  tlu' 
family  of  Inr  niMteniMl  iiiainlfather,  wlm  was  a  'list  inj^iiishiMl 
|teison  ill  lliMl  ilistrict.  'I'liere  she  was  exeeeliiinly  well 
etineati'il,  Itecaiiie  an  elenMiit  ."dl  vt'ry  pleMsiiin-  yoiinu'  wo- 
niMii,  Mml  WMs  lia)i|ii!y  ami  most  res|»eetaltly  ma'iiei,  before 
I  left,  the  (oiiiitry,  as  was  her  hrother  very  so  "ii  after. 
Tlii'y  are  still  liviiii,';  ami  I'eter,  adlieiinn-  to  what  mifh' 
he  calleil,  e\  I'lil  iially  t  he  safer  side,  diirinii'  tin-  war  with  me 
im»tlier  eouiilry,  siieei'edi'd  iimlist iirhed  t(»  his  uiede's  in- 
herit Miiee. 

All  llioe  new  cares  Mild  sorrows  did  imt  iiMln  h-asi  ahate 
the  lios|iit  ality.  the  |Mij(nlMrity,  or  the  |iul)lic  sjnrj  of  these 
t ruly  yi'eat  minds.  Their  dncllinu,  though  in  some  r-.  ,;Siire 
liecoiiie  a  house  of  liioliriiini;,  WMS  still  the  rende".\( ms  <.'.'' 
the  wise  and  worthy,  the  refni;t' <>f  the  stranger.  Mhd  ai» 
academy  for  dee|)  and  sound  thinkini;",  taste,  in.i  i'iujenee, 
and  iinnal  heaiity.  There  the  )il ms  for  the  piihli  ■  j^uod 
were  diuested  liy  the  riiU'is  of  e  jtrovince,  who  came, 
under  the   |>rete\t  of   m    suinniei  ursioii  for  mere  miiiu.si- 

nieiit.  There  the  ojiei'Mt ions  ol  '  lie  army,  and  the  treaties 
of  jieace  or  alliMiice  with  \Miii  -  nations,  were  arraiiu'ed  ; 
for  there  the  le^■i^lMl<l|•s  of  tin  late,  and  the  leaders  of  the 
war,  Were  recei\ed,  and  mi\t  lions  ami  im)»ortaiil  coun- 

sels with  convi\ial  cheerfulness,  and  domestic  ease  and 
familiarity,  "lis  not  to  l»e  ('oncei\ed  how  essential  a  point 
of  union,  a  i>arrier  ai:;aiiist  license,  and  a  focus,  in  which  the 


■ii 


17:^ 


Mi;.MnIl{S    (»F    AN     AmKKK'AN    LaHY 


rays  of  intfllfct  and  iiilcllii^ciicc   were  coiici'iitralcil  (such 
as  ill    this  family),    were  to   unite   the   janinjj;  eh-nieiits   of 
which    the   eoininiinity   was  coinitosetl,   ami   to   siiixu'est    to 
thosi'    v.ho    had    power    without    e.\)»erieiu'e,    the    means    of 
iiiinnTmLj   in  due   proportions   its  \arions   materials  for   the 
piildie  utility.     Still,  thou<;h  the  details  of  family  hap]iiness 
wi'i-e  ahrid^ed,  tlie  sjiirit  that  )>roduced  it    eontiiuKMl  to  ex- 
ist, and   to  tind   new  oliji-ets  of  interest.      A  iniml   elevate«l 
Itv  the   ('onsciousness  of  its  own    jtowers,  and   enl.'iru'ed    l>y 
the    hahitnal   i'\er<*ise   of   them,    for   the   ureat    purpose  of 
ju'oinotiiiLf  the   jj^ood    of  others,    vields    to    the   pressurt'    of 
calamity,  hut  sinks  not  under  it        «articularly  when  haliitu- 
atcil,  like  these  exalted  characters  to  look  thr(tui,di  the  loni^ 
vista  of  ftitiii'ity  towards  the  tiiial    accomplishment    of   the 
designs  of  I'roviilence.      Like  a  dilij^eiit  i^ardeiicr,  who,  when 
his  jiidinisiii!^  vt»uiii^  plants  are  hlaslecl  in   full  sl!\  iij^iii  ami 
'oeaiitv,  thouuli  he  feels  extreinelv  for  their    loss,    does  not 
sit  down  ill  i<llc  cha<j;riii,  luit    ri'douhles  his  elTorts   to   train 
up  their  successors  to  the  same  dei;'rce  of  excellence.      Con- 
sideriiiLf  the  lariLfe  family  she  (.Madame)    always   hat!  ahout 
her,    of  whi<'h  she  w...<  the  guidinu;  star  as  well  asthcinform- 
injj;  soul,  and  the  innocent    cheerfulness  wlTu-h    she   eiicour- 
a<rt'<laiiil  ciiiovcd  ;  consideriii'j,-,  too,  tlu-  numherof  int crest int^ 
Ljiiesis  whom  slu'  rccciveil,  ami  that  coinpjcti'  union  of  minds, 
wiiicl' made   hei'  enter  so   intimately    into   all   the    coIonePs 
■.lursuits,  it  may  l>c  womh  ri'd   how  slu'  found   time  for  solid 
ami  impr<i\  ed    reading;  l)ecause   peopU',    whose   time  is  so 
much  occupii'il  in    hiisiness  and    society,   are   apt    to   relax, 
with  amusing  tritlcs  of  the  <lesultory  kind,  when    they  liaAc 
odd  iialf  hours  to  l»e^tow  on   liti-rarv  amiisements.      r>ul  her 
strong   and   indefuligahlc  mind   never  loosenecl    its   grasp; 
ever  intent    on  the    useful    and    the    nolde,   she    found    littli' 
leisure  for  what    arc    indei'd  tin-  greatest    ohjects  of   feehle 
characters.      After  the   middle  of  life  she   went    little  out  ; 
her  household,  long  since  arranged  hy  certain  general  rules, 


1 


40  M   A.MKitn'AN  Ladv 


17:^ 


inii- 
•Diir- 

iiids, 

•  lU'I's 

solid 

is  sn 

i:iVc 
licr 

is|.  ; 

idle 
•cl.l,. 
(lilt  ; 


% 


iilcs 


went  rcLriil.iilv  till,  l»('c;iiis('  cvrrv  (liiiiifslic  knew  cxncllv 
llic  <liiti«'S  ul"  his  or  lu-r  |il;i('t'.  Mini  drcMdcil  juviiitr  it,  ;is  the 
jXiT.'ilcst  ptissililc  inisl'drliiiir.  She  had  ;ii\v;ivs  with  licr 
some  \  <niiii;  |it'rs(>ii,  "whowMs  uiilu  hti'  ;is  ;i  diuiLxhtiT  ;" 
who  WMs  her  Irifiid  and  (•iiiiiiiaiiiun  ;  :iiid  Iircd  ii|i  in  siich  a 
iiiamicr  as  t<i  <|naliry  her  U'lV  liciiin'  sucli  ;  and  (Uir  ul'  whnsc 
dniics  it  was  tti  insjicct  the  state  of  tiic  hdiischdhi,  and 
"  r('|i(irl  inMiiTcss,''''  with  rcuaid  tu  tlir  (i|)('r;(tiiins  <^(iin^j  on 
ill  the  various  d»'|iart iiKMits.  l-'m-  n<i  uiic  licttcr  iindcfst<iMd, 
or  more  justly  t'sliinatcd,  the  duties  of  houscwil'i-i y.  Thus, 
those  yoiiii^;  females,  who  hml  the  lia|t|iiness  of  lieinif  hred 
iind*  r  her  aiisiiices,  \cry  soon  liceanie  (|ualilied  to  assist  her, 
inslead  of  eiieroaeliiiiL:;  iniieh  on  her  time.  The  e\ani|ile 
and  conversation  of  the  i';iinily  in  which  they  li\cd,  was  to 
iheiii  a  |ier|M  tiial  school  for  useful  Uiiowled^e,  and  niaimers 
easy  and  din'iiitied,  liiouiih  natural  and  artless.  They  were 
no'  indeed  ciulieHished,  hut  then  they  were  not  deformed 
hv  affect  at  ion,  ju-eteiisioii  ,•••  defect  ixc  i mil  at  ions  of  f;ishioii- 
alile  iiKidel-  of  nature.  'IMiey  were  not  indeetl  hrcd  u|i  "to 
dance,  to  dress,  to  roll  the  ey«-,  or  troiil  the  toii!j,ue  ;"  Net 
tliey  were  ii<it  lectured  into  nmiatiiral  ^ravilN,  or  fro/en 
reserve.  I  lia\'e  seen  those  of  them  tli.it  were  lo\clv,  ifav, 
ami  animateil,  thouuh  in  the  worijs  of  mii  old  familiar  lyric, 

"  Witlioiil  (liHi^niisc  <ir  nrt,  like  tlowcrs  t!i;ii  j,Macc  \\w  wild, 
Tiicir  sweets  tliev  did  im|iiirl  wlinii'iT  llicy  s|")lic  m-  smiled." 

Two  oi  tlmse  to  whom  this  descri|it  ion  |iaiticiil,irly  applies, 
still  li\t'  ;  and  still  retain  not  only  evident  ti'aces  of  lieaiitv, 
hut.  that  iinstiitlied  Ljrace  and  di'xnily  which  is  the  result  of 
conscious  worth  ami  honor,  hahit  iiated  to  re m •civ  c  t  he  I  rillut(■ 
of  general  respect.  This  is  the  pii\ileife  of  minds  which 
are  always  in  their  own  place,  and  neither  stoop  to  solicit, 
ap|ilaiise  from  their  iiiferi<irs,  tior  strive  to  rise  to  ;i  lancied 
eipiality  with  those  whom  nature  or  fortune  have  placeil 
1ieV<ind  them. 

Aunt  was  a  threat  maiiai^er  of   lier  time,  and    alw.ivs  con- 


* 


k 


1^ 


171  Mkmoihs  (ir  w   Amkhkax  \j\u\. 

lri\c(l  lu  cicitc  Icisiin'  Iiniirs  \'n\-  i'c;i<liiii,'  ;  tor  llial  kiml  <>( 
(••iiivcrsMt  inii  wliicli  is  |iiu|it'il\  slylcil  <^itssi|»|iiiii;,  slic  liad 
f lie  iitiiiust  ('(1111(111111.  I'i.^lit,  sii|icilici,il  rc.idiiii;,  sucli  :is 
liicrcK'  tills  ;i  l>|;iiil\  in  liiric,  mimI  yTnlcs  (ivcr  the  niiiid  willi- 


<ii 


It  l(';i\iiiu'  ;iii  iiii|>r('ssi(Hi,  w  ;is  litllc  IsIkiwii  |Iici-c  ;  for  few 
InKiks  ci-dsscd  tlic  All.iiitic  liiit  siicli  ;is  were  woimIi  (•;ifi'\  iiii; 
sii  I'.ir  I'dillicii'  ill!  liiisic  \  mIiic.  SIic  \v;is  Idininicli  mcciisIoiikmI 
111  li.i\  ('  licr  iniiid  (»ccii|(ic(l  wit  h  dltjccts  of  ic.il  wciLcItt  .•ind  iin- 
|Mirl!iiic(',  to  i,d\  (' it  up  to  fiiv oldiis  |iiiisnits  of  any  l<in(l.  She 
ItcLi'an  the  nidi'ninn'  witli  leading  tlic  scri|it  uics.  'I'licy 
always  Incaktaslcd  caily,  and  din»'(l  two  Inmrs  later  than 
tlic  |iiiniil  i\  (■  inlialiilants,  wlio  always  tonk  that  meal  at 
twchc.  'I'liis  (lc|iai-t  nrc  tVoni  tlic  ancient  ciistcnis  was 
necessary  in  this  t'ainily,  to  aec<»niin(»datc  the  irreat  num- 
bers lit'  Ilritish  a>  well  as  st  raiiii'ei's  tVoni  New  \  Ork,  who 
were  daily  enteilained  at  her  lilieial  lalde.  This  aiTan^e- 
nienl  ua\  e  her  t  lie  ad\  ant  aye  of  a  lon<;;er  forenoon  to  dispose 
oi".  After  hreakfast  she  !^a\e  orders  for  the  family  <h'tails 
of  the  day,  which,  without  a  seru|inlous  alfention  to  those 
niinutia'  which  fell  more  properly  under  the  notice  of  her 
vouiil;-  friends,  she  alwa\s  regulated  in  the  most  judicious 
manner,  so  as  to  prevent  all  appearance  of  hiii'ry  and  con- 
fusion. 'I'liere  was  such  .\  ri\:ilry  anioiiLC  domestics,  whose 
sole  amliition  was  her  f;i\(>r  ;  and  who  had  lieen  so  trained 
up  from  infancy,  each  to  t  heir  se\ cral  (jut ies,  that  excellence 
in  each  depail  iiieiit  was  the  result  hnihof  h.iliit  and  eimi- 
iatimi;  wliih  her  yoiinu'  proti''ii(''s  were  early  tau'jht  the 
value  and  importance  of  i^ood  hoiisew  ilery,  and  W'er«' 
s<  (liiloiis  III  little  matters  of  decoration  and  eleifance,  wliieli 
her  mind  w,is  loo  much  eii^i'dssed  to  attend  to  ;  so  t.hat  her 
househiild  all'aiis,  ever  well  re^nlaled,  went  on  in  a 
mechanical  kind  of  proii^ress,  that  seeine(l  to  eiin'a,U<'  little 
of  liei- at  tent  ion,  t  houu'h  her  \iin-il:int  and  o\  crniliiiy'  mind 
set  every  siirinu' of  action  in  motion.  IIavin>f  thus  easily 
and  spe(  dily  arraiiy'cd  the  det.ails  of  the  <iay,  she  retinal  to 


i'J 


i 

( 


M 


I  r 


t\^ 


Mkmuiks  of  an   A.mkkic an   Lahv. 


175 


<) 


icail  ill  licr  cldsi'l,  wlicr*'  she  i;ciicr:ill_v  iciii.iiiuil  till   :iIh,iii 

C'lcVt'li;     W  llCll,    ItcillLj     IIIH'(|ll!ll    to   (listMlll     W  .lilss,    (lie     lujulU  1 

anti   slic,  aiiil  suiuc  of  licr  cli'cr  ljucsIs,  |>assiil  soiiic  nl"  llin 
liol  tiT  lidiiis  aiiiniio-  t  liusc  cmlniw  fi-iii!^-  >liail»s  nt  her  '4a  II  It'll, 
ill  wliicli  slic  t<Mik  tiical  |>l«aMirf.      Ilcic  was  tlicir  Isciiiin  ; 
licrc    (iiicslioiis    ill    rdiHidii    ami    in  nalil  \ ,  !<><•    \vtiLilil\     tnr 
taltU'   talk,  were   leisurely  ami   ((Hdly  ilisciisseil  ;  ami  plans 
(»r  |Htlic\  ami   \aiiuiis  iililily  ananii-eil.      l-'imn  1  liis   retreat 
tliey  ailjuiiriieil  to  tlie  purtieo  ;   ami  while  the  enloiiel  eillici' 
retifed  tit  write,  «tr  went  to  u'ive  diicetioiis  tn  liis  sei\aiits, 
she  sal  in  this  little  t  rilnina  I,  ui\  inii'  ainlieiice  In  iii'W  sett  lers, 
fdllowers  nj"  I  he  army  lell  in  hapless  depemleiice,  ami  ot  liefs 
wint  wanleil  assistance  or  a<l\  ice,  or  hoped  ,<he  would  inter- 
cede with  the  colom-l  for  somethiiii;'  more   peculiarly  in  his 
way,  he  ha\  iiiti;  ^reat  iiitliieiice  with  t  he  colonial  l!;'o\  erniiieiil . 
At  the  usual  hour   her  dinner    party  asseinlded,  whi<h    was 
ifciierally  a    lar^t' one  ;  and   here    I    must    diyres^  i'roni   the 
deiail  of  the  day  to  oltserve,  that,  looking-   up  as    I  always 
did  to  Madame  with  admirint;'  xcneratioii,  and  lia\inn- always 
heard  her  iiieiitioiied  with  uiKpialilied  applause,  I  look  often 
hack  to  think  what  defects  or  faults  she  could  possildy  have 
to  rank  w  illi  the  scuis  and  daiij^hters  of  imperfection,  inhahit- 
itit^  this  transitory  scene  of  existence,  well   knowing',    from 
suhseipieiit  ol»ser\  at  ion  of  life,  that  ^'vy^>\•  is  the  uiia\  nidahle 
portion  of  humanity.      ^  Ct  of  this  t  riiism,  to   which   every 
one    will    reaililv  sul»scril)c,  I    can    rec  Ilect    no  proof  in  my 
frieiuPs   conduct,  unless  the    luxury  of    her  taMe    ini^ht    he 
pr(»diu'('<l  to   coiilirni  it.      ^'et    this,  after  all,  was   l»ut  com- 
parative luxury.     Tlu're  was  mori'  choice  ami  selection,  and 
perhaps  more  ahindaiK"    at  her  table,  than  at  those  of  the 
ttt her  primitive  '.nhaliilants,  yet  Iiow  simple  were  her  re|iasts 
compared  to  tiiose  which  the  luxury  of  thi'  higher  ranks  in 
this  count  ry  oiler  to  pro\  iketlie  sated  appet  ile.      Her  din- 
ner-part V  n'eiici'ally  consisted  of  some  of  her  in t  i mate  fricixls 
or  Ileal"  relations  ;  her  a<loptcd  children,  who  were  inmates 


'I 


>  £ 


T  ¥■'  il 


^    ill 


I 


17G 


Mkmoius  or  AN  Amkhfcan  Lakv, 


liirt  lie  time  Itcini;  ;   mul  strangers  sitmclimcs  iiivilcil,  merely 
.•IS  tVielidless  f  r:i\  eleis,  <ni  tlie  score  nf  lii)s|iit;ility,  Ituf  nl'teii 
w clcoiiieil  I'ur  smile  lime  as  stationary  visitors,  mi   aecoiiiil 
i>r   wiirili  i,r  laleiils,  that    ^ave  value  ti»   tlieir  soeiely  ;   ami, 
lastly,  military    i;;iiesls,  selecteil    uitli    >omc    <liserimitiatii>ii 
on    at(  i>unt    of   tlie   yoiinu'  iViemls,  nvIkmii   tliey  wislnil    nut 
only  to  protect,  Imt  cultivate  liy  an   im|irovin«j;  association. 
Conversation  here  w  ;is  always  r.ational,  u,'enerally  inst rii'liv  e, 
;intl  often  cheerriil,      'I'he  artenioon  iVeiim-nt  ly  liroiiuht  witli 
it  a  new  set  ol'  iiiiesls.     'I'ea  w;is   alw.ays  drank  early  here  ; 
ami  as  I  lia\  <•  lornierly  oliserv  cd,  w  as  attended  with  so  nniiiy 
petty    liiMiries  ol  |iaslry,  c.    irectioiiery,  etc.,  tli.at    it    miirhl 
well  lie   accounted  a  meal    li\   those  whose   earl\   and  rrn^r.-d 
iliniiers  had  so  lony;  ji'oiie  hy.      In  Alhany  it  w  .is  ciistoin.'iiN , 
.'liter  the  heat  of  the  day  was  |iasl,  lor  the    \     iinn'  |>eo|ilc  to 
H'o  ill    iiariiesol'    threi'or   lour,  in   o|ieii  carriay-es,  lo  drink 
lea  at    .-III    hour  or   two's  drive   iVoni  town,     'i'lie    receiviny' 
.'iiid    eiitertainim>'  this    soil    of   comiianv     ''enerallv  vva>    the 
liroviiice  ol'   the    yoiiniier  |iart  of    the  t'amily  ;  and  of  iFiese 
|>;irties  iii.iny  came  in    snininer  eveiiini^s  t"  the    !•  lats,  when 
tea,  which    w.is    very  early,  was  over.      The   yoiinL""   |ieo]il', 
and  llio>e  who  were  older,  took  their  dillereiil   walks,  while 
.Madame   s.at    in   her   portico,  eiiiiaiicd    in    what    miulit    com- 
paratively l»ecalle<l  liolit  re.idini;,  «'ss;iys,  l»ioL!,r;iphy,  poetrv, 
etc.,  till  the    yoiinner   p.aitvset    out    on  their   I'etnrn    home, 
and  her  domestic  rriemls  rejoined  her  in  her  portico,  where, 
ill  w.arin  evt'iiiniis,  a  slight  repast  was  sometinu's  hroiiLjIit  ; 
hut    tin'y    inoic  rre(pienlly    shared  the   last   and   most  truly 
soei.al  me.-il  within. 

Winter  made  little  dilTerence  in  her  mode  nl'  occupyiii«;' 
her  time.  She  then  always  retired  to  her  closet  to  \\".u\  at 
stated  periods. 

In  coiivers.ilioii  she  cert;iiiily  took  delii^ht,  .'ind  peculiarly 
excelled  ;  yet  did  not  in  the  least  eiitiross  it,  or  seem  to  dle- 
t.ite.      On    the  coiitr.iry,  her  thirst  (»r   knowled'^e  was  such, 


'4:iuuaj.,jaiiiwj!i' 


•St' 


> 
(' 

Hi- 


It 


I 

I 


dl"" 


MkMOIHS    iiF    an    .\Mi;i;l('AN     liAliV.  »     177 

Mild  >li('  |Miss(.sv((l  Mifli  ;i  |i((iili:ir  iMlfiit  r«>r  discuv criiii;  tlio 
|Miiiit  I.I  utility  ill  :ill  tliiiiixs,  tli.ii  t'loiii  cxcry  niu-'s  «listMmi>i' 
slic  t\t  iMctcil  sniiic  inruniintinii,  on  wliiili  tlic  li^lit  i>t  Iut 
iiiiinl  w.is  tliinuii  ill  Midi  :i  iliicrt  ii>ii,  ;i«i  iiimlc  it  tiiiii  tn  ac- 
count. N\  lifiifNcr  >lu'  laid  down  licf  Ixiuk  she  took  u|i  licr 
knitliiiii-,  wliifli  iicii lie locciii tied  lim  yc^  nor  attention,  w  Idle 
it  kept  lit')-  linncrs  ciinaiitd  ;  tliu>  MttiiiLj  an  t'\ain|il('  ol' 
liiinililc  diliiiciMM'  to  lit'f  yoiiiincr  lu'ott'-urs.  In  this  ciiiitloy- 
nitiit  she  had  a  kind  of  tender  satislaclion,  as  iitt  h'  «'liihlreii, 
reared  in  t  lie  lainily,  \\ ere  tlie  oiil\  olijects  of  jier  <  are  in 
litis  ri's|)eet.  l'"or  those,  >he  eoiistaiitly  |ilo\ided  a  su|i|dy 
of  hosiery  till  they  were  se\  en  years  old  ;  and,  alter  that, 
lraii>i'erre(|  lur  alteiilion  to  some  yoimner  favorite.  In  her 
i-arlier  days,  when  her  I  leloved  colonel  could  share  the  yayet  ies 
of  society,  I  ha\e  lieeii  told  they  liotli  hail  a  hiyh  relish  for 
iniioeeiit  inirth,  and  every  s|(ecies  of  huinorous  |»leasantiy  ; 
hut  in  my  time  there  vv.is  a  chastened  ijravity  in  her  dis- 
course, which,  ho  ucver,  did  not  re|  111  I  >e  innocent  ch«'erfiiliiess, 
thoiiuli  it  dashed  all  manner  of  levity,  and  that  fli|>|iaiiey 
which  i^reat  familiarity  sometimes  encoiiran'cs  amonir^it 
yoiiiiLf  iieo|ile,  who  live  much  tou-ether.  Had  .Madame,  with 
tile  same  nood  sense,  the  same  hi^li  |iriiici|ile,  and  i;<'iieral 
hi'iiev  oleiice  towards  yoiiiii;"  |ico|>le,  lived  in  societv  such  as 
is  to  he  met  with  in  i»ritiaii,  the  |uiiici|ile  n|ion  which  slu- 
acted  Would  have  led  her  to  have  ('•.coura^fd  in  such 
society  more  uaety  and  freedom  of  maiiiiers.  As  the  re<;'n- 
l.iteil  forms  of  life  in  ilritain  set  hounds  to  ihe  ease  that 
accom|>aiiies  Hood  lireediiiLi',  and  reliiiemeiit,  u'eiicrallv  dif- 
fused, sii]i|ilies  the  place  of  native  ildica<'y,  where  that  is 
waiitiiiu".  a  certain  decent  freeilom  is  hoth  sale  and  ;illowa- 
hle.  I>iit  amid  the  simplicity  of  primitive  manners,  those 
hounds  are  not  so  wi'll  defined.  I  inler  t liese  ciicunistances, 
iiiirth  is  a  romp,  and  humor  a  luilVooii  ;  and  hoth  must  he 
kept  within  strict   limits. 

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178 


Memoirs  of  ax  American  Lady. 


iiy 


I  [ 


CIlAVTFAl  XXXI. 

IIosriTALITY AcilIKVKMKNlS    J!V    llIK  NK(;K<>KS, 

XlIK  hosDitalities  of  this  family  were  so  far  Ijeyoiid  tlieir 
appai'eiit  iiieoine,  that  all  strangers  were  astonished  at  them. 
To  account  for  this,  it  must  he  observed  that,  in  the  first 
])lace,  there  was  perhaps  scarce  an  instance  of  a  family 
possessing  such  uncommonly  well  trained,  active,  and  dili- 
gent slaves  as  that  I  describe.  The  set  that  were  staid 
servants,  wlien  they  mai'ritd,  had  some  of  them  died  off  by 
the  time  I  knew  the  family  ;  but  the  ])rinci))al  roots  from 
wlu'iice  the  numy  branches,  then  iiourishing,  sprung,  yet 
remained.  These  were  two  women,  who  had  co.ne  originally 
f'-om  Africa  Vi'dle  very  young  ;  they  were  nu)st  excellent 
servants,  and  the  mothers  or  grantl-mothers  o(  the  whole 
set,  except  one  white-wooled  negro  man  ;  who,  in  my  time, 
sat  by  the  chii mey  and  made  shoes  for  all  the  rest.  The 
great  pride  and  ha])piness  of  these  sable  matrons  were,  to 
bring  u])  tlieir  cliildren  to  dexterity,  diligence,  and  obedience. 
Diana  being  determined  that  Maria's  children  should  not 
excel  her's  in  any  quality,  which  was  a  recommendation  to 
favor  ;  and  Maria  e(|ually  resolved  that  her  brood,  in  the 
race  of  excellence,  should  outstrip  Diana's.  Never  was  a 
nu)re  fervent  comi)etition.  That  t)f  Phillis  and  lirunetta, 
in  the  S])ectator,  was  a  trifle  to  it  ;  and  it  was  extremely 
difficult  to  decide  on  their  respective  merits  ;  for  tliough 
Maria's  son  I'rince,  cut  down  wood  with  more  dexterity  and 
dispatch  than  any  one  in  the  pi-ovince,  the  mighty  C'a'sar, 
son  of  Diana,  cut  d(»wn  wheat  and  thicshed  it,  better  than 
he.  His  sister  Betty,  who,  to  her  nn'sfortune,  was  a  beauty 
of  her  kind,  and  i)Ossessed  wit  equal  to  her  beauty,  was  the 
best  seamstress  and  laundress,  by  far,  I  have  ever  known  ; 
and  plain  unpretending  Rachel,  sister  to  Prince,  wife  to 
Titus,  alias  Tyte,  and  head  cook,  dressed  dinners  that  mi>dit 


Memoirs  of  ax  Amkiucan  Lady. 


179 


GROES. 

pyoiid  tlicir 
('(I  at  tlu'iii. 
in  tlu"  first 
t'  a  family 
0,  and  (lili- 
wcrc  staid 
died  ott"  by 
roots  from 
;i.rmio-,  yet 
L'  originally 
t  t'xc'C'lk'nt 
the  Avhole 
in  my  timo 
rest. 
IS  were,  to 


le 


obedience. 

H-idd  not 

Hiation  to 

)d,  in  the 

er  was  a 

Jrunetta, 

'Xtreniely 

•r   though 

ei-ity  and 

ty  C'ii'sar, 

■tter  than 

a  beauty 

was  the 
r  known  ; 

wife  to 
lat  niiojit 


have  |)lcased  Aiiicius.  1  record  my  old  humble  frien<ls  by 
their  real  names,  because  they  allowedly  stood  at  the  head 
of  their  own  cla^s  ;  and  distinction  of  every  kind  should  be 
resiiected.  I'.eslvU's,  when  the  curtain  drops,  or  indeed  long 
bel'ore  it  falls, 'lis  perhaps  more  creijitable  to  have  excelled 
in  the  l()W«'st  parts,  than  t(t  have  falh-n  misei'ably  short  in 
the  hiiiher.  Of  the  iuferioi'  personages,  in  this  (birk  drama 
I  have  l)een  characterizing,  it  would  be  tedious  to  tell  : 
sutlice  it,  that  besides  lilling  up  all  the  lower  dei)artments 
of  the  lifMisehnld,  and  cultivatirig  to  the  highest  advantage 
a  most  extensixc  fai'ui,  there  was  a  tlioroiighbri'd  carpenter 
and  shoemaker,  and  an  universuj  genius  who  made  canoes, 
lU'ts,  ami  paildles  ;  shod  horses,  mended  im|)lements  of 
husbandry,  manageil  the  fishing,  in  itself  no  small  dei)art- 
nu'ut,  reared  hem]»  and  tobacco,  and  spun  both  ;  nuuU' cider, 
and  tended  wild  Inu'ses,  as  they  call  lliem  ;  which  it  was  liis 
pi'ovince  to  manage  and  to  break,  Foi-  every  branch  of  the 
donu'stic  economy,  tliere  was  a  jjcrson  allottetl,  educated  for 
the  purpose  ;  an<l  tliis  society  was  kept  immaculate,  in  tlio 
same  way  that  the  (Quakers  preserve  the  rectitude  of  theirs  ; 
and  indee'l,  in  the  only  way  that  any  eomnuinity  can  be 
preserved  from  corruption  ;  when  a  nunnber  sliowed  symp- 
toms of  degeneracy,  he  was  immediately  expelled,  or  in 
other  words,  more  suitable  to  tliis  case,  sold.  Among  tlic 
dcunestics,  there  was  sucli  a  rapid  increase,  in  conse(|uence 
of  their  marrying  very  early,  and  living  comfortably  without 
care,  that  if  they  had  not  been  detach.ed  otf  with  the  young 
])eo[)le  brouglit  up  in  the  house,  they  woidd  have  swarmed 
like  an  overstocked  hive. 

The  ]>revention  of  crimes  was  soinucli  attended  to  in  this 
well-regulated  family,  that  there  was  very  little  punisjunent 
necessary  ;  none  that  lever  heard  of,  but  such  as  Diana  and 
^[aria  inflicted  on  their  progeny,  with  a  view  to  prevent  the 
dreaded  sentence  of  expulsion  ;  notwithstanding  tlie  petty 
rivalry  between   the   branches  of  the  two  original   stocks, 


I'l-i 


ii 


iU 


180 


AfKMOIRS    OF    AX    AMERIfAN  LaDY 


iiilcrmiiriMMLjcs  1>i't wccii  the  Moiitauucs  anil  ('a]nil('ts  of  the 
kitclu'ii,  wliich  tV('(|iU'iitly  look  jilacc,  and  tlic  hal)if  ol"  li\in<jf 
toi^ctluT  under  the  same  mild,  tlionL:;li  ivt^Mdar  i>()\('rnin('nt, 
|)r(>diu'('d  a  lifciicral  cordiality  and  an\'clion  atnong  all  tlic 
nicntlxTs  wf  tlic  family,  who  wci'c  ti'ulv  rulcil  bv  the  law  of 


ove 


.1 


tl 


and  even  those  wlio  occasionallv  uilTtTcd  aoou 


i\\ 


ha<l  an  unconscious 


attacl 


imont  to  each  oihei',  whu 


It  trill 
hsl 


cs. 


lowecl 


itself  on  all  emergencies.  Treated  thcmsehcs  with  care  and 
o-e-.itleness,  they  were  careful,  and  kind,  with  i-cgard  to  tlie 
only  inferiors  and  di'pendents  they  had,  the  donu'stic 
animals,  'I'he  superior  personages  in  the  family,  had  always 
some  good  pi-opei'ty  to  mention,  or  good  saving  to  re|K'at, 
of  those  whom  they  cherished  into  attacliment,  and  e.\altc<l 
into  intelligence  ;  while  they,  in  their  turn,  im]»rove<l  the 
sagacity  of  llieir  suhjt'ct  animals,  hy  caressing  and  talking 
to  them.  Let  no  one  laugh  at  this  ;  for  whenever  a  man  is 
at  ease  and  uiisopliisticated,  where  his  native  liumanity  is 
not  extinguisluMl  hy  want,  or  chilled  hy  o]>[>i'ession,  it  over- 
Hows  to  iidVrioi-  beings  ;  ami  im)troves  their  instincts,  to  a 
degree  incredible  to  those  who  have  not  witnessed  it.  In 
all  mountainous  countries,  where  man  is  moi-e  free,  more 
genuine,  and  more  divided  into  little  societies  much  detached 
from  othei's,  and  much  attudied  to  each  other,  this  cordiality 
of  sentiment,  this  overllow  of  good  will  take  place.  The 
poet  says, 

"  Iluiiibio  1()V(%  and  not  proud  reason, 
Keeps  the  door  of  lieaven." 

This  (piestiou  must  be  left  for  diviiu's  to  determine  ;  but 
sure  am  I  that  liuml)lo  love,  and  not  jti'oud  reason,  keeps 
the  door  of  earthly  happiness,  as  far  as  it  is  attainable.  1 
am  not  going,  like  the  a.lmirable  Crichton,  to  make  an 
oration  in  ])raise  of  ignorance  ;  but  a  very  high  degree  of 
refinement  certainly  ])i(»<luces  a  <puckncss  of  iliscerument,  i\ 
niggard  approbation,  and  a  fastidiousness  of  taste,  that  find 
ji  thousand  repulsive  and  disgusting  ({ualitivs  mingled  with 


I 


lets  of  tlio 
t  of  Ii\iiit? 
vcrmiicnf, 
t.uc  :ill   tlic 
llic  l;i\v  of 
•111  trillcs, 
■h  sliowi'd 
I  cnri'  :iii(l 
ii'd  to  (lio 
(loiiu'stic, 
nl  .'il\v;iys 
to  rcpi'Mt- 
il  exalted 
•oved  tlie 
d  tMlkiiio- 
a  man  is 
iianity  is 
I,  it  over- 
lets,  to  ;i 
•  1  it.      In 
',  more 
taclu'd 
•rdiality 
The 


;  liiit 

ke(>|ts 

.le.      1 

ke   an 

yree  of 

nent,  !«. 

at  find 

d  with 


Mkmoirs  of  an  American  Lat^y. 


181 


fhost'  that  excite  our  a<lmiration,  and  would  (were  we  less 
critical)  |)ri>diice  alTeetion.  Alas!  that  the  tree  should  so 
literally  impart  the  kiiowleilu'e  of  ^-ood  and  evil  ;  miieli  e\il 
and  little  n'ood.  It  is  time  to  return  from  this  excursion, 
to  the  point  from  which  I  set  out. 

The  I'rinces  and  Ca'sars  of  the  I^Mats  had  as  much  to  tell 
of  the  sau'acity   and   attachments    of   the   animals,  as    their 
mistress  relatetl  of  their  own.      Numlierless  aiiec<Iotes  that 
delighted  nie  in  the  last  century,  I  would  reconnt  ;   Imt  fear 
I  should  not  lind  my  audience  of  such  easy  helii'f  as  I  was  ; 
nor  so  convinceil  of   the  intey'rity  of  my  infoi-iners.     One 
I'ircunistance  I  must    mention,  hecaiise  1  well  know  it  to  he 
true.     The  colonel  liail  a  horse   wliich  he  rode  occasionallv, 
but    which  ofteiier  traveled  with    -Mrs.  Schuyler  in  an  open 
earriap'.      .\t  particular  times,  when  l)rin<^in<;  home  li:i\  or 
corn,  they  yoked   Wolf,  for  so  lie  was  called,  in  a   wan'on  ; 
an  indi'j^nitA'  to  which,  for  a  Avhile,  lie  unwillinulv  submitted. 
At  leno'tli,  knowinsj^  resistance  was  in  vain,  he  had  recoui'se 
to  strata iii'tn  ;  and  Avhenever  he  saw  Tyte  uiarshnllinj^-  his 
cavalry  bw  ser\ice,  lie  swam  over  to  the   island  ;  the   um- 
braj^eous  and  tan<,de<lbor(U'r  of  which  I  i'oi-nierly  mi'iit  ioiie<l  : 
there  he   fe(l   witli    fearless  impunity  till   ]>e   saw  th(^   boat 
approacli  ;  wlioneviT  tliat    liajipened  he  Mluno'cd    into  the 
thicket,  and  led  his  followers  such  a  chase,  that    they  were 
ghid  to  give  up  tlio  ])ursuit.     AVIieii  lie  saw  from  his  retn-at 
that  the  work  was  over,  and  the  fields  bar*',  lie  very  coolly 
returned.      I>eiiig,  by  this  time,  I'ather  old,  and  a  favorite, 
tlic   colonel   allowed  liim   to  bt'  indulged   in  his  dislike  to 
drudgery.     The  mind  Avliich   is  at    ease,  neither  stung  by 
rciiiorse,  nor  goaded  by  ambition  or  other  turbulent  jiassions, 
nor  worn  witli   anxiety  for  tlie   snp]»ly  of   daily  wants,   nor 
sunk  into  languor  by  stupid  idleness,  forms  attachments  and 
aninscmeiits,  to  wliicli  those  exalted  by  cult ure  Avould  not 
stooi>,  and   those  criislied  by  want  and  care  could  not  rise. 
Of  tliis  nature  was  the  attacliment  to  the  tame  animals  which 


• 


>■ 


lil^'ll 


1S2 


Memoirs  of  an  Amkuican  LAr»Y. 


tlu'  (loiiu'stic's  ;i|))ii'(»)»riiit('(l  to  tliciiisclvcs,  mikI  to  the  little 
faiicii'iil  i^iirdciis  wlicrc  tlu'y  raist'd  licrhs  or  |>l:nits  of  dilliciilt 
culture,  to  sell  auil  yive  to  their  iVieiids.  Kaeli  iiei^ro  was 
iiKJulti'ed  with  his  oreat  s<|uirrel,  or  luusk  I'al  ;  or  perhaps 
his  hi'aver,  which  he  tainecl  and  atlaclie(l  to  liiMiself,  l»y 
daily  Fcediuo-  aiid  caressiusj;  him  in  the  I'ariu-yard.  One  was 
sure  ahout  all  such  houses,  to  iiiid  ihi-se  animals,  in  whom 
tlicii-  mastei-s  took  the  highest  pleasui'c.  All  these  small 
features  of  human  nature  must  not  he  despised  for  their 
minute  ..ess,     To  a  L>-ood  mind  they  aiT"or<l  consolation. 

Science,  directed  hy  vii'tue,  is  a  i^odlike  eidargement  of 
the  powers  of  human  natui'c  ;  ami  e.xalted  rank  is  so  iieces- 
sary  a  tiiiish  to  the  fabric  of  society,  and  so  invariahle  a 
residt  from  its  rcLjidar  estahlisliment,  that  in  I'esjjectinijj 
those,  whom  the  di\  ine  wisdom  has  set  ahove  us,  we  perform 
a  duty  such  as  we  expect  from  our  own  inferiors  ;  which 
hel|»s  to  support  the  u'enei-al  ordei'  of  society,  l>ut  so  very 
few  in  ]»i'opoi'tioM  to  the  whole  can  he  eidi<j;htened  by  science, 
or  e.\alte<l  by  situation,  that  a  nood  mind  draws  cond'ort 
from  discovering  even  the  petty  enjoyments  permitted  to 
those  in  tlie  state  we  consider  most  abject  and  dei)ressed. 


\ 


rj 


I 


■4 


c  iiArTKi;  XXXII, 

1IkS()II!(  KS  OK  MaDAMK l*KOVI.NCIAT,  C'lSTOMS. 

XT  may  appear  extrordinary,  with  so  moderate  an  income, 
as  could  in  those  days  l)e  derived  even  from  a  considerable 
estate  in  that  country,  how  Madame  found  means  to  sujiport 
that  liberal  ht)spitality,  which  they  constantly  exercised,  I 
know  the  utmost  they  could  derive  from  their  lands,  and  it 
was  not  nnu'h  :  some  money  they  had,  but  nothing  adequate 
to  the  dignity,  simple  as  it  was,  of  their  style  of  living,  and 
the  verv  large  family  thev  alwavs  drew  around  them.     But 


^ 


\' 


[able 

.     I 

1(1  it 

kiate 

and 

But 


p» 


tiii.% 


Memuiks  of  an  American  L/U>y, 


l^<:) 


with  ri'^ard  to  the  jdcnty,  one  iiiiolit  almost  call  it  luxury, 
of  tlu'ir  table,  it  was  su|t|)li('(l  iVoiii  a  variety  of  sources, 
that  remlered  it  less  expensive  than  coiiM  l»e  imagined. 
Trulians,  i^ratel'ul  for  the  numerous  benefits  they  were  daily 
reccivintr  from  them,  were  constantlv  brinuiuLi'  the  smaller 
ganu',  and,  in  wintei-  and  sjtring,  loads  of  \enisoii.  Little 
money  passed  from  one  hand  to  another  in  the  country; 
but  tlu're  was  constantly,  as  there  always  is  in  primitive 
abodes,  before  the  age  of  calculation  beojns,  a  kindly  com- 
TiU'rce  of  presi'nts.  'V\w  people  of  New  York  and  Khode 
Island,  several  of  whom  were  wont  to  jiass  a  part  of  the 
sunimi'r  with  the  colonePs  family,  were  loaded  with  all  the 
productions  of  the  farm  and  river,  wlu'ii  they  went  honu'. 
They  again  never  failed,  at  the  season,  to  send  a  large 
su|)i»ly  of  oysters,  and  all  other  shell-iish,  which  at  Ni-w 
Voi'k  abounded  ;  besides  great  (juautities  of  tropical  fruit, 
which,  fi'om  the  sht»rt  run  between  .Jamaica  ami  New  York, 
were  there  almost  as  plenty  and  cheap  as  in  theii'  native 
soil.  'I'iieir  fai'm  viehU'd  them  abundanth  all  that  in  general 
a  musket  can  supply  ;  and  the  yoiing  relatives  who  grew  up 
about  tlie  house,  were  rarely  a  day  without  bi-inging  some 
su])]»ly  from  the  wood  oi"  the  stream.  The  negroes,  whose 
business  lay  frequently  in  the  woods,  never  willingly  went 
tlu're,  or  any  where  else,  without  a  gun,  and  randy  came 
back  empty  handed.  Presents  of  wine,  then  a  very  usual 
thing  to  send  to  fi'ieiuls  to  wliom  vou  wished  to  show  a  mark 
of  gratitude,  canu'  very  often,  ])ossibly  from  the  frieiuls  of 
the  young  people  who  were  reared  and  instructed  in  tiuit 
house  of  benediction  ;  as  there  were  no  duties  }taid  for  tlje 
entrance  of  any  commodity  there,  wiiu',  rum,  and  sugar, 
were  cheaper  tlum  can  easily  be  imagined  ;  ami  in  cider 
they  abounded. 

'J'he  negroes  of  thetliii'e  truly  united  brotliers,  not  having 
home  eni))loynuMit  in  winter,  after  prej)anng  fuel,  used  to 


1i 


•ut  d 


own  trees,  and  cai'ry  them  to  an    a< 


djoi 


nnig  saw-niil 


I   I 


i  \ 


4 


184 


Mkmoirs  of  an  American  Lady 


wluTc  in  ;i  \cry  sliort  time,  tlicy  iiiikIc  ^rcat  (|iianti(ii's  of 
jtlaiiks,  sl:i\('s,  etc.,  wliicli  is  tisuaily  sInNmI  hinihcr,  I'urllic 
NVcst-Iiidia   market.     And   wlicn  a  sliip  l..;i(l  ol'  llicir  flour, 


liuiinci',  and  sa 


ItC'd 


(I'ovisKins  were  accnninlatt'd,  sctinc 


rt'la- 


livc,  I'oi-  tlu'ii"  hc'liool',  iVcinhicd  a  vessel,  and  went  out  to 
tlie  West-Indies  willi  it.  In  tins  Stynian  scliooner,  the 
departure  of  M'liieli  \v:is  always  looki'd  forward  to  with 
unspeakable  horror,  all  thi'  st  uhhorn  (tr  othei'wise  uniuan- 
ai^eahle  sl;ives  were  embarked,  to  be  sold  by  way  of  punisli- 
nuMit.  'i'liis  |»rodiu'(Ml  such  salut;iry  terror,  that  prepariui^ 
tlu'  lading  of  this  fatal  vessel  m-nerally  opei-;ite(l  a  tempoi'ary 
rei'orin  at  least.  When  its  earn'o  was  discharo'ed  in  the 
West -Indies,  it  took  in  a  earn'o  of  wine,  iMim,  sugar,  eotl'ee, 
chocolate,  and  all  other  West-India  productions,  paying  for 
whatever  fell  slioi-t  (A'  the  value,  an<l  I'eturning  to  Albany, 
sold  the  surplus  to  (heii'  friends,  after  reseixing  to  them- 
selves a  most  liberal  supply  of  all  the  ai'ticles  thus  im))orte(l. 
Thus  tlu'V  had  not  only  a  profusion  of  all  the  recpiisites  for 
good  h(»use-keeping,  but  had  it  in  tlieii'  power  to  do  what 
was  not  (imisual  there  in  wi'althy  families,  though  none 
carried  it  so  far  as  these  worthies. 

In  process  of  tinu',  as  people  multiplied,  wlien  a  man  liad 
eight  or  ten  childivn  to  settle  in  life,  and  these  m,'U'i'vin<f 
early,  and  all  their  families  increasing  fast,  though  they 
always  were  considered  .as  ecpi.-ds,  and  each  kej)t  u  neat 
house  and  decent  outside,  yet  it  might  be  that  some  of  them 
were  far  less  succt'ssful  than  othei's,  in  theii"  vai'ious  efforts 
to  suppitrt  their  families  ;  but  these  deficiencies  were 
su])plied  in  a  <piii't  and  delicate  way,  by  pivsents  of  every 
thing  a  family  refjuired,  sent  from  all  their  coimections  and 
acquaintances  ;  which,  where  there  was  a  continual  sending 
back  and  forward  of  sausages,  pigs,  roasting  pii'ces,  etc., 
fi'om  one  house  to  another,  excited  little  attention  :  but 
when  aunt's  West-Indian  cargo  arrived  all  the  families  of 
this  description  within  her  reacli,  luid  an  ample  boon  sent 
them  of  liei  new  supply. 


i^,- 


(Art 


^ 


■■  ,>..--w.,.r^T -i.al..mninia. 


NfllMOIHS    01'    AN    AmKHH'AN    TiAhY 


IS.-) 


lie 
(1 

'V 

at 
in 

ts 
ro 

rv 


•J 
It 

li 


1*^1 


Till'  saiiu'  liltcial  s|iiiil  animated  lier  sister,  a  very  e.\- 
celK'iit  person,  who  was  inarriecl  to  Corneliiis  Cuyler,  then 
mayor  of  All»any  ;  who  had  been  a  most  sneeessfnl  Indian 
trader  in  liis  youth,  and  had  ac<|nired  hiru'e  Indian  posses- 
sions, mill  earrie(I  on  an  extensive  comniereial  iiitereourse 
with  the  tra  .ers  of  that  day,  hrint^iiiL?  from  Europe  (plant  i- 

ties  of  those  n' Is  that  hest  snitefl  them,  and  scndinu'  hack 

their  ]>eltry  in  e.\ehaiii>'i' ;  he  was  not  only  wealthy,  hut 
hospitable,  intelliy-eiit,  and  lilieral-minded,  as  appeared  l»y 
his  attaehmeiit  to  the  army  ;  which  was,  in  those  days,  the 
distin^uisliiiiij;'  feature  of  those  who  in  knowledyc  and 
eandor  were  beyond  others.  His  wile  liad  the  same  con- 
siderate and  prudent  t>'enerosity,  which  e\cr  directed  the 
humanity  oi"  Ikm-  sisti'i-  ;  thouj^h,  having  a  large  tamily,  she 
eouhl  not  carry  it  to  so  great  an  extent. 

If  tliis  inuteriial  friend  of  their  mutual  I'elatives  could  l»e 
said  to  have  a  preference  .among  her  own,  ;iiid  herhusbaiurs 
relations,  it  was  ccrt;iiiily  to  this  family.  The  eldest  son 
I'hilip,  wlio  bore  her  husbamrs  name,  was  on  that  and  other 
accounts,  a  {tarticular  f.avorite  ;  and  was,  I  think,  as  nuieli 
with  tliem  in  chihihood,  as  his  atti'iitioii  to  his  education, 
which  was  certainly  the  best  tlie  jtrovince  could  afTord, 
would  permit. 

Ilaving  become  distinguished  through  all  the  northern 
provinces,  the  common  jx'ople,  and  the  inferior  class  of  the 
military,  had  learned  from  the  Canadians  who  fre(pu'nted 
her  house,  to  call  aunt,  >[ailanie  Schuyler  :  but  by  one  or 
other  of  these  ap))ellatioiis  she  was  universally  known  :  and 
a  kindly  custom  ]>revailed,  for  those  who  were  received  into 
any  degree  of  intimacy  in  her  family,  to  ad<lress  her  as 
their  aunt,  though  not  in  the  least  related.  This  was  done 
oftener  to  her  than  others,  because  she  excited  more  respect 
and  aflfection  ;  but  it  had  in  some  degree  the  sanction  of 
custom.  The  Albanians  were  sure  to  call  each  other  aunt 
or  cousin,  as  far  as  the  most  strained   construction   would 

24 


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11 
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i 

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180 


Mkmoiks  (ti'  AN   Amkiucan   Lady. 


c'lrrv  (lii)S('  relations.  '|\»  st r:iiiL!;('is  tlicv  were  imlfcd  \ cry 
sliy  lit  lirst,  l»iit  cM  i-ciiicly  kiii<l  ;  wluii  tlicy  ih>I  mily 
|>rovi'<l  tlu'iiisi'lvcs  cstimiiMc,  l»iit  l»y  ji  coiKlcsccnsnni  In 
tlu'ir  custdiiis,  mikI  ;uM|uiriiin;  :i  siiiattcriiiuul'  tlicir  liiiinii.i^c, 
(•cased  to  !)('  s(  i'Mii<j;('rs,  t  lu'ii  t  licy  wci'c  in  a  inaiiiH'r  ail(>|i|c(l  ; 
i\)V  llic  lirst  seal  of  cordial  intimacy  ainont;  the  yonnn  !"'"■ 
|ilc  was  to  call  each  otlici- cousin  ;  and  thus  in  an  lioiir  of 
playful  or  tender  intimacy  I  lia\e  known  it  more  than  once 
l)e_<;in  :  "  1  think  you  like  nu'  well  enoui,di,  and  1  am  sure  I 
like  you  very  well  ;  come,  why  sliuuld  not  we  l»c  cousins';'" 
"  I  am  sure  I  slioidd  like  very  well  to  lie  yoiii-  cousin,  for  I 
have  no  cousins  of  my  own  where  I  can  reach  tlu'm/'  '"  Well, 
then  you  shall  l»e  my  cousin,  i'oi-  ever  and  e\ci.'"  In  this 
uncouth  lannMiau'i',  and  in  this  ai'tless  mamu'r,  were  these 
leuufues  of  amity  commiMU'e(l.  Siu'Ii  an  inlimacy  was  never 
fonuod  unh'ss  the  object  of  it  were  a  kind  of  favorite  with 
t he  |tai'ents,  who  immediately  c<»mmence(l  uncle  and  aunl 
to  the  new  cousin.  This,  however,  was  a  hiLi'h  |irivilcgc, 
only  to  he  kept  l)y  tidelity  and  iiood  conduct.  If  you  e.\- 
})useil  your  new  cousin's  faults,  or  re|iealed  her  minutest 
secrets,  or  by  any  other  l)reach  of  constancy  lost  favor,  it 
was  as  bad  as  refusing-  a  challenm'  ;  you  were  coldly  rect'ived 
every  where,  and  couhl  never  rejjfaiii  your  footinij  in  society. 
Aunt's  title,  howi'ver,  became  current  every  where,  and 
was  most  completely  conlirme<l  in  tlu'  year  I  7")(>,  when  she 
gave  with  more  than  common  solemnity  a  kind  of  annual 
feast,  to  which  tlu'  colonel's  two  brothel's,  and  his  sisters, 
aunt's  sistei',  >[is.  Coi-nelius  Cuyler,  and  their  families,  with 
several  other  younjj;  people  related  t<»  them,  assendtled. 
This  was  not  given  on  a  stati'*!  day,  but  at  a  time  when 
most  of  tliese  kindivd  I'ould  l)e  collectctl.  This  year  F  have 
often  heard  my  good  friend  commemorate,  as  that  on  which 
the  family  stock  of  ha|)piness  felt  the  first  diminution.  The 
feast  was  made,  and  attended  i)y  all  the  collateral  branches, 
consisting  of  iiftv-two,  who  had  a  claim   bv  marriasje  or 


kT^ 


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it 

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11(1 

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^^^;M(tll«S    OF    AN     A.MKIUi  AN    LaF>Y 


IH7 


(Icscciit,  to  call  (lie  coluiicl  and  iiiv  iVicinl  iiiiclc  ami  aunt, 
Ik's'kIcs  their  |iafciits.  Amoiitj  tlicsc  were  rfclsoiicil  tlircc 
or  lour  i^raiiilcliililrcii  of  their  lirollicrs.  At  this  };;raii<l  i;ala 
lliei'c  could  he  no  less  than  sixty  |>ersons,  hut  nian\ of  them 
were  ilouMie(|  .onieet  no  more  ;  rorlheiiext  year  t  he  small- 
pox, always  |H'culiarly  mortal  here  (where  it  was  improperly 
freateij  in  the  old  manner),  broke  out  with  ^reat  virulence, 
and  ra^ed  liUc  a  playue  ;  l)ut  none  of  those  relatives  whom 
.Mrs.  Schuyler  had  domesticated  sulTercij  l»y  it  ;  and  the 
skill  which  she  had  ac<|uired  from  the  communications  of 
the  military  surifcons  who  were  wont  to  rre(pient  her  house, 
enahled  her  to  administer  advice  and  assistance,  which 
essentially  heneliteil  many  of  the  patients  in  whom  she  was 
particularly  interested;  though  even  her  inlluence  coid<l 
li  (  pi'c'vail  on  pcoidc  to  have  recourse  to  inocidation.  The 
patriarchal  feast  of  the  I'ormer  year,  and  the  humane  exer- 
tions of  this,  made  the  colonel  and  his  consort  appi'ar  so 
much  in  the  liyht  of  puhlic  l»eneract(»rs,  that  all  the  young 
re!.(ar<led  them  with  a  kind  of  lilial  rcNi-reiice,  and  the  addi- 
tion of  uncle  and  aunt  washeconie  conlirnied  and  unixcrsal, 
and  was  considered  as  an  lionorai'y  distinction.  The  ravaujes 
which  the  small-|)()X  ma<le  this  year  amono-  tlieir  Mohawk 
friends,  was  a  soui'ce  of  deep  concern  to  tliese  i'evere(i  phi- 
lanthropists ;  but  this  was  an  evil  not  toln' renie<lied  by  any 
ordinary  means.  These  people  Ix'int^'  accustomed  fr(*ni  early 
childhood  to  anoint  themselves  with  ix-ar's  grease,  to  re])el 
the  innumerable  tribes  of  noxious  insects  in  sununer,  and 
to  exclnde  the  extreme  cold  in  winter,  their  pores  are  so 
completely  shut  up,  that  the  sniall-pox  docs  not  rise  upon 
them,  nor  havi'  they  much  chance  of  I'ccovery  from  any 
acute  disease  ;  but,  excepting  the  fatal  infection  already 
mentioned,  they  ai'e  not  subject  to  any  other  but  the  rheu- 
matism, uidess  in  very  rare  instances.  The  ravages  of 
disease  this  year  o|)eratcd  on  their  population  as  a  blow, 
which  it  never  recovered  ;  and  they  considered  the   small- 


:       1 


'.       I 


IKS 


Mkmoiks  of  an   Amkkk'a.n    Laky. 


,  i 


|Mi\  ill  ;i  )iliysic!il,  Mild  llir  use  of  sli'oiiu'  ll<|iH)rs  ill  a  iimral 
sense,  as  two  |tlai;iies  wliicli  we  liad  iiil  rotliieed  aiiion<4- 
tlieiii,  Cor  wiiicli  our  arts,  our  rrieiidslii]),  and  even  our  reli- 
gion, were  a  very  inadequate  reeoni|tense. 


C'llAITKW  XXXIII. 

l''oi,i,o\vi;i!s  OK   Jill':   Akmv — IJksi  i.iiNt;  Isrow  iomkncks. 

J.()  return  to  the  legion  of  eonimissarics,  etc.  'I'lu'  seein- 
|doynients  were  at  first  i^iM'ii  to  very  inferior  |ieo|i|e  ;  it 
was  seen,  however,  tlial  as  tlie  scale  of  military  operations 
and  erections  increased,  tlicse  |ien])ie  wt'i'e  eiiricliiiiif  tliein- 
selves,  hotli  at  tlie  e\|u'nse  of  the  kini;  and  the  inhahitants  ; 
whom  they  ri>'<|uently  e.\as|ierated  into  insdleiice,  or  resist- 
ance, and  then  iisimI  that  pretext  to  kee|i  in  their  own  hands 
the  i»ayments  to  whicli  these  peoph'  were  eiitithMl.  Wlieii 
their  wagons  and  shives  were  pressed  into  the  service,  it 
was  necessary  to  em|)h)y  such  )»ersoiis  from  tlie  first.  Tiie 
colonel  and  the  mayor,  and  all  whom  they  could  iiitluciice, 
did  all  tlu'y  could  to  alleviate  an  evil  tli;it  could  not  he  |»re- 
vi'iited,  and  was  daily  aggravating  disaffection.  They 
found,  as  tlie  iin|tort:mce  of  these  ofhces  increa.sed,  it  would 
comhu'e  more  to  the  piihlie  go<)d,  hy  largei'  salaries  to  induce 
jieoph'  to  accept  them  who  weri'  gentlemen,  and  had  tlnit 
character  to  su|)p()rt  ;  and  who,  heing  ac(piaintcd  with  the 
people  and  their  language,  knew  hest  how  to  <pialify  and 
soften,  and  where  to  ,'ipply,  so  as  le;ist  to  injiiri'  or  irritate. 
Some  vounsjc  men,  l»elon<j;ing  to  the  country,  wi're  i\{.  leiiuth 
prev;ule(l  on  to  accept  two  or  three  of  these  <ittices  ;  which 
liad  the  happiest  cflfect,  in  concili.ating  and  coiKiuering  tlie 
aversion  that  existed  auainst  the  regulars. 

Among  the  first  of   the  natives  who   engaged  in  those 
ditticult   employments,    wus   one  of   aunt's    adopted    sons, 


T 


1 


' 


l;( 


Mi:.Mn|(iS    UK    AN     A  M  KUKA  N     LaI>V. 


IMII 


I 


J^ 


ftu'iiicrly  n,  ficil  ;    lMiili|t  Sclniyli  r  ol'   the  |i;i>tiirc,  :is  lie 

was  <'!illc(|,  to  lli.>lill!,nli^ll  liiiii  t'idiii  iIm-  oilici-  iic|ili(\v  ; 
\v1h»,  llild  lie  li\i''l,  Wiiiild  li;i\('  Ix'cii  the  culdiicrs  ln'il'.  He 
iippcarol  iiirrcly  a  careless  j^ood  lniinoicil  yoiiiiL!,-  man. 
Never  was  any  (»ne  so  little  wliat  lie  seemed,  witli  reuafd 
to  altility,  activity,  and  amltilion,  art,  enterprise,  and  |ier- 
Hcverance,  all  of  which  lie  |>(issessed  in  an  nncoinmon  deui'ee, 
tlionn'li  no  Mian  had  less  the  a|i|iearance  of  these  (jiialities  ; 
easy,  coni|ilyin!i',  and  n'ood  Immoicd,  t  he  coiiver>ations,  I'idl 
of  wisdom  and  sound  policy,  o|'  which  he  had  lieen  a  seem- 
ingly inattentixt'  witness,  ;it  the  l'"l'its,  oidy  slept  in  his 
recollection,  to  wake  in  lull  t'oi'ce  when  calleil  forth  hy 
occasion. 

A  shrewd  ;ind  aide  man,  who  was,  I  |hiid<,  ;i  hrii^adier  'n 
tlic  ser\ice,  was  apjioinled  (pi.-irter-niaster  yeneral,  with  the 
entire  superintendence  of  all  the  l»oats,  huildinu's,  etc.,  in 
New  ^'ork,  the  .lerseys,  iind  ("aii.'idian  I'rontier.  lie  had 
married,  when  very  youn<;',  a  daus^htcr  of  Colonel  Ucnselaer. 
Ilaviuij;  at  the  time  no  settled  |ilau  for  the  supjiort  of  a 
younjj;  family,  he  felt  it  incund»eiit  on  him  to  make  some 
unusual  exertion  for  them.  Colonel  Scliuylei-  and  his  con- 
sort not  only  adviseil  him  to  accept  an  inferior  employment 
in  this  Itusiness,  but  recommended  him  to  the  Hrinadier 
IJradstreet,  Avho  had  the  [»ower  of  disposing  of  such  ollic»'s, 
which  were  daily  growinu;  m  importance.  They  well  knew 
that  he  possi'ssed  ((ualities  which  might  not  oidy  renderhini 
an  useful  sei'vant  to  the  puhlic,  but  cli-ar  Ids  way  to  fortune 
and  distinction.  His  jterfect  coinmimd  of  temper,  acuteiiess, 
and  dis|)atcli  in  business,  and  in  the  hour  of  social  enjoy- 
nu'iit,  easily  relapsing  into  all  that  careless  frank  hilai'ity 
and  indolent  good  humor,  which  seems  the  peculiar  privi- 
lege of  tlii'  frei'  and  disencumbeiid  mind,  .active  and  com- 
panionabK',  m.ade  him  a  great  ac<|uisition  t(.  ;iny  j»erson 
under  whom  he  might  liappen  to  be  eTn])loyed.  This  the 
penetration  of  Hradctreet  soon  discoveied  ;  and  he  became 


I) 


100 


Mkmoihs  ov  an  Amkhican  Lady, 


m  .1 


not  only  liis  socrolaiy  uikI  deputy,  but  in  asliort  time  afl.cr, 
his  :unbass:i<lor,  as  oiie  niiu;lit  say  :  for  bcCore  IMiili])  Scliny- 
lor  was  twenty-two,  the  general,  as  he  was  niiiversally  style<l, 
sent  him  to  Kiiii,laii(l  to  negotiate  some  business  ot'  import- 
iinee  with  the  l)oa>([  of  tratU'  and  plantations.  In  tlii'  mean- 
while some  other  vounij  nu'n,  natives  of  the  v'oupti'v, 
accej»ted  employments  in  the  same  department,  by  this  time 
trreatlv  e\ti'n(hMl.  Aversi'  as  the  ('(»untrv  peo])le  were  to 
the  armv,  thev  began  to  i-elish  the  advantage  d;  vived  from 
the  money  which  that  body  of  pi-otectors,  so  mueh  teared 
and  detesti'il,  expended  among  them,  This  was  more  con- 
siiU'rable  than  might  at  first  be  imagined,  (iover-nnent 
allowed  provisions  to  the  troops  sei'ving  in  Amerii-a  ;  with- 
out which  tluy  could  not  indeiMl  have  ))roceede<l  througli 
an  uninliabitiMl  country  ;  where  even  in  such  places  as  weiv 
inhabited,  there  were  no  ri'gular  markets,  no  comi)etition 
for  supply  ;  nothing  but  exoi'bitant  [u-ices  could  temj)t  those 
people  who  weiv  not  pool-,  and  found  a  I'eady  nnirket  for  all 
their  produce  in  the  West-Indies.  Now  having  a  regul.ii- 
su]»]>ly  of  siu'h  provisions  as  are  furnished  to  the  tieet,  chey 
hail  no  occasion  to  lay  out  their  iiuuiey  foi-  such  things  ;  and 
rather  purchasi'd  the  pi'oduce  of  the  country,  li(pu)rs,  eic, 
for  whicli  the  iiatives  took  care  to  make  them  pay  very 
liiuli  ;  an  evil  which  the  Schuvlers  inoderate<l  as  much  as 
possible,  thougli  they  co;dd  not  check  it  entirely.  Tliis 
pi'ovision  system  was  a  very  great,  though  necessary  evil  ; 
for  it  multiplied  contractors,  connnissaries  and  store-keepers 
without  end.  At  a  dist'.ince  from  the  source  of  authority, 
abuses  increase,  and  redress  beconu's  more  ditlicult  ;  which 
is  of  itself  a  sutlicient  ai'gunient  against  the  extension  of 
dominion.  Many  of  those  new  conu'rs  v. ere  aminguous 
characters,  oi"iginally  from  the  old  country  (as  expatriated 
IJritons  fondly  call  tlieir  native  land),  but  little  knoAvn  in 
this,  and  not  liapjty  specimens  of  that  tliey  had  left  These 
(•atellites  of  delegated  ])ower  liad  all  the  insolence  of  office, 


t 


^J 


v4> 


f«l 


^s 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady 


191 


and  all  that  avidity  of  jjain,  wliidi  a  suddi'ii  rise  of  circuiu- 
stances  iTL'atos  in  low  and  uiiiti'in«-ij»U'd  minds  ;  and  tlu'V, 
from  the  natuiv  of  their  employment,  and  the  dillicnlty  of 
getting  })rt)visi()ns  transi)orted  from  |»lace  to  i>Iaee,  were 
very  fre(jnently  the  nuMlinni  of  that  intei'coiirse  cari'ii'd 
on  between  the  military  and  the  natives  :  and  di<l  not  l»y 
any  means  eontril)nte  to  raise  the  IJritish  character  in  their 
estinnition. 

I  dwell  the  nn)re  minntely  on  all  these  great,  though 
necessary  evils,  which  invariably  attend  an  army  in  'ts  ])ro- 
gress  through  a  country  which  is  the  theatre  of  actual  war, 
that  the  reader  may  be  led  to  set  a  just  value  on  the  privi- 
leges of  thishighly  favore<l  region  ;  which,  sitting  on  many 
waters,  sends  forth  her  thunders  through  the  earth  ;  and 
while  the  farthest  extremes  of  the  east  and  west  Innd  toiler 
donunion,  has  not  for  more  than  half  a  ceiittiry  heard  the 
sound  of  hostility  within  her  bounds.  Maiiv  unknown 
persons,  who  were  in  some  way  attached  to  tin  army,  and 
resolved  to  live  by  it  in  some  sha})e,  set  uj)  as  traders  ; 
carried  stores  suited  to  nulitary  consumption  along  with 
them,  and  finally  established  themselves  as  merchants  in 
Albany.  Some  of  these  proved  woi'thy  chara<'ters,  how- 
ever ;  and  intenmirrying  with  the  daughters  of  the  citizens, 
and  adopting  in  some  degree  their  sober  manners,  becanu' 
in  process  of  time  estinnible  members  of  society.  Othei's, 
ami  indeed  the  nn)st  part  of  them,  rose  like  exhalations,  and 
obtaining  credit  by  dint  of  ad<li'ess  and  assurance,  glittered 
for  a  time  ;  affecting  showy  and  expensive  nmdes  of  living, 
and  aping  the  manners  of  their  ])atrons.  These,  as  soon  as 
peace  diminished  their  military  establishment,  an<l  ])ut  an 
end  to  that  ferment  and  fluctuation,  which  the  actual  ]>re- 
sence  of  war  never  fails  to  excite,  burst  like  bubbles  on  the 
surface  of  tlie  sidtsiding  waves,  and  astonished  the  Albanians 
with  the  novel  spectacle  of  bankrn])tcy  and  imprisonment. 
All  this  gradually  wrought  a  change  on  the  face  of  society  ; 


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MkMoIKS    01'    Ax\    A.MKIUC'AN    LaDY. 


yet  such  \v:is  llu'  (lis<.';us(  wliicli  tlii'  ini])iit(Ml  licciiliousiu'ss, 
r(>]i|»i'ry,  nnd  cxlfavagiuicc  of  tlu'  olHccrs,  mikI  tlu'  pi'i-tcii- 
sidiis  iiiisu|>|t()rt(Ml  l»y  worth  or  kuowlcdoi'  of  tlicir  apes  aiitl 
followers,  |>i'o(liic('(l,  tliat  thi'  yoiiiiLT  jtcrsoiis,  who  first  iii;ir- 
ric'd  those  ambiguous  new  colliers,  generally  did  so  witliout, 
the  consent  of  their  pa'vnts  ;  wliost' alVcction  for  their  child- 
ren, however,  soon  reconciled  them. 


CIIAITKK  XXXIV. 

Aim;I\  Al.  OK  A  MOW  l{K(;iMKNr J)o.MlNK  KliKVI.I  Ncih.v  ISKN. 

./v.  !{l\(UM10\'rcanK' to  town  ahoiil  thistinu,  the  superior 
otlici'i's  of  which  were  younyer,  more  u'ay,  and  less  amen- 
al)L'  to  good  counsel  than  those  who  used  to  command  tlu 
troops,  which  hail  formerly  been  ))laced  on  this  station. 
They  paid  tlu'ir  visits  at  the  Flats,  and  were  I'eceivcd  ;  but 
not  as  usual,  cordially  ;  neither  their  manners  nor  morals 
heinu'  calculated  for  that  mei'idian.  Pai't  of  the  Koyal 
^Vmericans,  or  independ  'Ut  companies,  had  at  lliis  time  j)os- 
session  of  the  fort  ;  souu'  of  these  had  families  :  and  they 
were  in  <;eneral  persons  of  decent  morals,  and  a  moderati' 
and  judicious  way  of  thinkinu",  wlio,  though  they  did  not 
court  the  socii't y  of  the  natives,  evpressed  no  contempt  for 
their  manners  or  ojiinions.  The  regiment  I  speak  of,  on 
the  conti'ary  turned  those  })lain  burghei's  into  the  highest 
ridicule,  yi't  use<l  evi'ry  artifice  to  get  ac<piainted  with 
them.  They  wished  in  short  to  ai*t  the  part  of  very  ibie 
gentlemen  ;  and  the  gay  and  superficial  in  tliosi-  days  were 
but  too  apt  to  take  for  their  model  the  fine  gentlemen  of 
the  iletcstable  old  comedies  ;  which  good  taste  has  now 
wvy  i»roperly  e,\)ilode<l  ;  and  at  which,  in  every  stage  of 
socielv,  thi'  uncorrupted  mind  must  have  felt  infinite  dis- 
gust.     Vet  forms  arrayed  in  gold  and  scarlet,  and  rendered 


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iiiori'  iiiipdsiiit;'  hy  ;ui  uir  of  coiiuiiaiiil  and  autliui-it y,  occa- 
sionally  softciu'd   down    into   y'cnt Icncss    and    snhniissioii  ; 
and  l»y  tliat  noisy  liaycty  wliicli  yontlit'nl  in<'X|)('ri('nc«'  mis- 
takes   for   lia|i|tiu('ss,    and    tlial    Hi|i|ianl    |>ct ulancc,    wliicli 
tliosf  who  knew  not  nuicli  ol'  tlic  lanyuau'c,  ami  nothing'  at 
all    of    tlic   world,  mistook    for    wit,    were   very   cnsiiarinijj. 
Tliosc  dann'cronsly  accinnplislicd  heroes  made  their  a|)[iear- 
ance  at  a  tijne  when  the  Knulish  lanniiage  ln'nan  to  he  moi'e 
oi'nerally    understood  ;  and    when    the    pi'etensions   of   the 
merchants,  commissaries,  etc.,  ttt  the  stations  they  occupied 
were    no   lony-er  dnhious.     Those  jolishe<l    strani^ers   now 
began  to  make  a  part  of  general  society.     At  this  crisis  it 
was  that  it  was  found  necessary  to  have  recourse  to  billets. 
The  superior  otiicei's  hail   li'eiu' 'ally  been  either  recei\(M|  at 
the    Flats,  Ol-   accommodated    in    a  laryc   house    which    the 
colonel    had    in    town.     The   mamu'r  in   which   the   hospi- 
tality  of    that     family    was    exercised,   the   select'on    which 
they    iuadi'   of   such  as    were    litti'd   to  associate    with   the 
young  persons   who   dwelt  under  their  proti'ction,   always 
Si'ave  a  kind  of  tone  to  society  :  and  held  out  a  li^ht  to  othei's. 
Ma(lanie''s  sister,  a^     1    be'oi'e   observed,  was    mari'ie(l   to 
tho  respec  abh'  and  intelligent  magisti'ate,  who  administered 
justice,  not  only  to  the  town,  but  to  the  whole  neighborhood. 
In  their  house,  also,  such  of  the  militai'y  v.'ere  receiveil,  and 
t'litertaiiKMl,  as  had  the  sanction  of  her  sister's  approbation. 
This   juilicious  and  e(iuitable  j)erson,  who  in  the  course  of 
trading  in  early  life    upon  the  lakes,  had   umleigone   many 
of   the   hardships,   and   even    dangeis,   which    awaited    the 
military  in  that  |)eiilous  path  (d'  <luty,  knew  well  what  they 
had  to  encounter  in  the  defence  of  a  sui'ly  ivnd  self-riifhted 
race,  who  were  litth'  inclined  to  show  them  common  indul- 
gence :  far  less   gratitude,      lie  judged  ecjuitably  between 
botli  partii's  ;  and  while  with  the  most   patriotic  steadiness 
he  resisted  (very  attempt  of  the  militarv  to  sei/e  anything 
with   a   high    hand,  he    set   the  exam)»le    liimself,  and   used 

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Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady 


every  art  of  persuasion  to  induce  liis  eouutrynieu  to  every 
concession  tliat  could  conduce  to  tlie  ease  sind  coiufort  of 
tlieir  protectors.  So  far  at  length  lu'  succeeded,  that  whi'U 
the  regiment  to  which!  allude  arrived  in  town,  and  showed 
in  geiKM-al  an  aniiahle  and  ohliging  disposition,  they  were 
quartered  in  difl'ei'ent  houses  ;  tlu'  superioi-  otticers  heing 
lodged  willingly  by  the  most  res]>ectal>le  of  the  inhabitants, 
such  as,  not  having  large  families,  had  room  to  accomnuxhite 
them.  The  colonel  and  ^Madame  hapi)ened,  al  the  time  of 
these  arrangements,  to  be  at  New  York. 

In  the  meanwhile  socictv  beuan  to  assunu'  a  new  asijuct  ; 
of  the  satellites,  which  on  various  pretexts,  official  and 
commercial,  had  followed  tlu-  army,  several  had  families, 
and  those  began  to  mingle  uu)re  fieipiently  with  the  in- 
habitants :  Avho  were  as  yet  too  simple  to  detect  the 
surrei)titious  tone  of  lax  nu>rals  ;md  second-handed  inanners, 
wliich  prevailed  among  many  (,f  those  who  had  but  very 
lately  clind)ed  uj)  to  the  stations  they  lield,  and  in  wliose 
liouses  the  Euro})ean  nuxlcs  and  diversions  were  to  be  met 
with  ;  these  Avere  not  in  the  best  style,  yet  even  in  that 
stvle  thev  beu-an  to  be  relished  bv  some  vount;  persons, 
Avith  whom  the  power  of  novelty  i)revailed  over  that  of 
habit  ;  and  in  a  few  rare  instances,  tlu'  influence  of  the 
young  drew  the  old  into  a  faint  consent  t(;  these  attempted 
innovations  ;  but  with  many  the  resistaiu-e  was  not  to  be 
overcome. 

In  this  state  of  matters,  one  guardian  genius  watched 
over  the  connnunitv  with  unremittin<>- \  ioilance.  From  the 
original  settlement  of  the  ]>lace  there  had  been  a  siu-cession 
of  good  (juiet  clergymen,  who  came  from  Holland  to  take 
the  command  of  this  expatriated  colony.  Tliese  good  men 
found  an  easy  cl'arge,  among  a  ])eople  with  whom  the  ex- 
ternal duties  of  i<  'igion  were  s'-ttled  habits,  which  no  one 
tliought  of  disjteusiMg  with  ;  and  where  the  primitive  state 
of  mannei's,   ami   the  constant   occujiation  nl'  the  mind   in 


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planting  and  defending  a  territory  wliere  everything  was, 
as  it  were,  to  be  new  ereate<l,  was  a  preservation  to  the 
nioi'als.  Religion  being  never  In-anded  with  the  reproach 
of  inipnted  hypocrisy,  (rr  dai'kened  by  the  frown  of  austere 
bigotry,  was  venerated  even  by  those  who  were  content  to 
glide  thoughtless  down  the  stream  of  time,  without  seriously 
e()nsidering  whitlier  it  was  conveying  them  till  sorrow  or 
sickness  reminded  them  of  the  great  pur})()se  for  which  they 
wei'e  indulged  with  the  privilege  of  existence. 

The  domiiies,  as  these  peoj)le  called  their  ministers,  con- 
tented themselves  with  preaching  in  a  sober  and  moderate 
strain  to  the  people  ;  and,  living  ({uietly  in  tlu'  relireiuent 
of  their  families,  were  little  heard  of  but  in  the  i»ulpit  ;  and 
they  seemed  to  consider  a  studious  privacy  as  one  of  their 
chief  duties.  Domine  Freylinghausen, '  however  was  not 
contented  with  this  quietude,  which  he  seemed  to  consider 
as  tending  to  languish  into  inditference.  Ardent  in  his  dis- 
position, elo([uent  in  his  preaching,  animated  and  zealous 
in  his  conversation,  and  frank  and  ])o|»ular  in  his  uianners, 
he  thought  it  his  duty  to  awaken  in  every  breast  that 
slumbering  spirit  of  devotion,  which  he  consideivd  as  lulled 


"riieoilorns  Frit'linprhiiysen  was  tho  eldest  son  of  ]?ev.  Jacobus 
Tli(H)doras  Fritilinjrhuyscn,  ii  native  of  West  Frieslaml,  who  came 
over  in  1720,  and  settled  in  New  Jersey.  His  five  sons  became  pas- 
tors of  churches,  and  his  two  dauijhters  married  jjastors.  Domine 
Frielinghuysen  came  to  Albany  in  174<> ;  he  ])ublished  a  catechism  in 
the  Dutch  tonyue,  the  second  edition  of  whicli  was  issued  by  Weyman 
in  New  York  in  1748.  His  lot  was  cast  in  tlm  midst  of  a  violent  con- 
troversy anion (r  tlu;  clerjjy  on  the  subject  of  ordination,  the  older 
clerpfy  insistinjj  upon  the  rite  beinj?  ptirformed  in  Holland.  A  bitter 
dispute  was  carried  on  fifteen  years,  disturbiufj  the  peace  of  neighbor- 
hoods, dividing  families,  and  rending  tlie  churclves  into  factions. 
Houses  of  worship  wt^re  locked  up,  ministers  were  assaulted  in  the 
discharge  of  their  functions,  and  Sunday  profaned  by  scenes  of  violence 
and  mobs.  The  party  which  opjmsed  se])aration  were  called  conferen- 
tio,  the  other  ca'tus.  The  dispute  was  not  settled  till  1772.  Of  course 
the  domine  was  an  actor  in  the  scene. —  M. 


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by  security,  or  droojiini!;  in  tlic  iiicridiaii  tif  lu'ospority, 
like  tender  phmts  in  the  Maze  ol"  sunsliine.  Tliese  lie  en- 
•  leavored  to  relVesli  hy  daily  exhortation,  as  well  as  by  the 
exereise  of  his  jtublie  duties.  Thouyh  i-it^id  in  some  of  liis 
notions,  his  life  was  s])otless,  and  his  eoneern  for  liis  people 
warm  and  afTet-tionate  ;  his  endeavors  to  amend  and  ins]»ire 
them  with  happier  desires  and  aims,  were  considered  as  the 
labor  of  'ove,  and  rewarded  by  the  warmest  affection,  and 
the  most  profound  veneration  ;  and  what  t<i  him  was  of 
much  more  value,  by  a  Ljrowinif  solicitude  for  the  attain- 
ment of  that  liinher  oi'der  of  excellence  which  it  was  his 
delight  to  )»oint  out  to  them.  Uut  while  he  thus  inces- 
santly "  allured  to  briinhter  worlds,  and  led  the  way,"  he 
miglit  i)erhaps  insensibly  have  accpiired  a  taste  of  dominion, 
which  minht  make  him  unwillint;  to  ]>art  with  any  portion 
of  that  most  desirable  s])ecies  of  powei-,  which  subjects  to 
us,  not  human  actions  only,  but  the  will  which  directs  them. 
A  vulgar  ambition  contents  itself  with  power  to  command 
obedience,  b.it  the  mor.'  exalted  and  retined  and)ition  aims 
at  a  <lomination  over  mind,  llent-e  the  leaders  of  a  sect, 
or  even  those  who  have  powei's  to  awake  the  dying  embers 
of  ))ious  fervor,  sway  the  hearts  of  their  followers  in  a 
manner  far  more  gratifying  to  them,  than  any  enjoyment 
to  be  derived  from  temporal  jiower.  That  this  desire 
should  nneonsci(jusly  gain  gi'ound  in  a  virtuous  an<l  ardent 
mind,  is  not  wonderful  ;  when  one  considers  how  the  best 
propensities  of  the  human  heart  are  llattei'ed,  by  supposing 
that  we  only  sway  the  minds  of  others,  to  incline  tliem  to 
the  paths  of  peace  and  hap|»iness,  and  deri\e  no  othei'  ad- 
vantage from  this  tacit  sovereignty,  but  that  of  seeing 
those  objects  of  affectionate  solicitude  grow  wiser  and  bi'tter. 
To  return  to  the  apostolic  and  much  beloved  Fivyling- 
hausen.  The  progivss  which  this  regiment  nnide  in  the 
good  graces  of  his  flock,  and  the  gradual  assimilation  to 
English  manners  of  a  very  inferior  standard,  alarmed  and 


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Memoirs  of  ax  AMKiiirAX  Lady. 


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grii'Vi'd  tlu'  <^(i()(l  miiii  not  a  little  ;  and  tlic  intcllii^crico  lie 
received  from  some  of  the  elders  of  liis  cliiireli,  who  had 
the  honor  of  lodg-iiiir  Ihi'  more  dissipateil  siihalterns,  did 
not,  administer  much  comfort  to  him.  JJy  this  time  the 
Anu.omania  was  heyinning  to  spread.  A  set't  arosi'  amoiiu" 
the  yoiniii'  pooi)K',  who  seemed  ivsolved  to  assume  a  lis^htt'r 
styh'  of  dress  and  manners,  and  to  hon-ow  their  taste  in 
those  respect  I'rom  their  new  friends.  This  hade  fair  soon 
to  un<h>  all  the  !j:;ood  pastoi'V  lahoi-s.  The  evil  was  daily 
growinn"  ;  and  what,  alas,  could  Doniine  i^'reylinifhausen 
do  hut  |>i'each  I  This  he  did  earnestly,  and  even  annrily, 
hut  in  vain.  -Many  were  e\as|)ei"ate(l  hut  none  i-eclaime(l. 
The  ujo(j(l  domine,  however,  ha<l  those  who  shared  his  soi-- 
rows  and  resentnu-nts  ;  the  elder  and  wiser  heads  of  fami- 
lies, indeed  a  great  majority  of  the  primitive  iidiahitants, 
were  steadfast  against  innovation.  The  colonel  of  the 
regiment,  who  was  a  man  of  fashion  and  family,  and  jtos- 
sessed  talents  foi- both  good  and  evil  ]»urposes,  was  young 
and  Lfav  ;  and  being  lod<>-e<l  in  the  house  of  a  verv  wealthy 
citizen,  who  had  befoiv,  in  some  di'gret',  aifected  the  lU'Wer 
modes  of  living,  so  ca[»tivated  hiii  with  his  good  breeding 
and  altabilitv,  that  he  was  readv  to  humor  anv  schenu'  of 
diversion  which  the  colonel  and  his  associates  projiosed. 
Tnder  the  ausi)ices  of  this  gallant  conimander,  l)alls  began 
to  be  concerted,  and  a  degree  of  flutter  and  frivolity  to 
take  i»laee,  which  was  as  far  from  elegaiu-t'  as  it  Avas  from 
the  honest  artless  cheerfulness  of  the  meetings  usual  among 
them,  "^riie  good  domine  more  and  more  alarnu'(l,  not  con- 
tent with  preaching,  now  began  to  prophesy  ;  but  like 
Cassandra,  or  to  speak  as  justly,  though  less  jtoetically, 
like  his  whole  fraternity,  was  (h)omed  always  to  deliNcr 
true  predictions  to  those  who  never  heeded  them. 


^     I 


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11 


11)8 


MiiiMuiKs  OF  AN  American  Lady. 


cHArrKij  WW. 

1*1, AYS   ACIT.Ii —    DlSI-I.i: AS!  UK  OKIIIK  Do.MINK. 

ONN'  tlic  MTV  iilliiiiatiiiii  of  (Icm'iK'racy,  in  tlic  (»|tini()M 
(>r  tlicsi'  siiiipk'  good  |)o<)|)k',  Nvas  a]»|»r()iic'hin<;'  ;  lor  now  \\\v 
otlifiTs,  ciicoui'Mgod  by  tlic  success  oi'  all  tlu'ir  former  |»i'(»- 
jccls  for  aimisciiiciit,  I'csohcd  lo  new  fashion  ami  cnligliteii 
those  ainiahle  novices  whom  thi'ir  former  schemes  had 
attracted  within  the  splu're  of  their  intlnenco  ;  and,  fortius 
|tMr)»ose,  a  |»ri\ate  theatre  was  fitted  u|»,  and  preparations 
matle  for  acting  a  play  ;  except  the  Schiiylers  and  tlu'ir 
a(lo|tti'd  family,  there  was  not  perha|)s  one  of  the  natives 
who  understood  what  was  nu-ant  l»y  a  play.  And  l>y  this 
tiiiU',  the  town,  once  so  ch»sely  united  hy  intermarriages 
atul  nundu'rless  other  ties,  whicli  could  not  exist  in  any 
other  state  of  society,  weri'  divided  into  two  factions  :  one 
consisting  almost  entirely  of  such  of  the  younger  class,  as, 
havln<>:  a  smatterlnt>'  of  New  York  t-ducation,  and  a  little 
more  of  dress  and  vivacity,  or  jierhaps  levity,  than  the  rest, 
were  eager  to  mingle  in  the  society,  and  adopt  the  manner 
of  those  strangers,  it  is  hut  just,  In-N^ever,  t(^  add,  that 
only  a  i'vw  of  tlu'  more  estimable  Aver<'  iiudnded  in  this 
number;  these,  howi'\'er  thi-y  might  have  been  captivated 
with  novelty  and  plausibility,  were  too  mui-h  attached  to 
their  older  relations  to  give  them  pain,  b\  in  intimacy  with 
peojile  to  whom  an  impious  neglect  of  duties  the  most 
sacred  was  geni'i'ally  imputed,  an<I  whose  manner  of  treat- 
ing their  inferioi's,  at  that  distance  from  the  control  of 
higher  powers,  was  often  such  as  to  justify  the  imputation 
of  cruelty,  which  the  sevei'ity  of  military  [lunishments  luid 
given  rise  to.  The  i)lay,  however,  was  acted  in  a  barn,  and 
pretty  well  attended,  notwithstanding  tlie  good  domine's 
earnest  charges  to  the  contrary.  It  was  77ie  Beaux  IStrat- 
(.(f/e/n  /  no  favorable  specimen  of  the  delicacy  or  morality 


uhl 


'^ 


r 


T 

at 

lis 


C'( 


1 

to 
th 

ISt 

at- 

.f 

on 

ad 


i 


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MkMoIUS    of    an    AMrUK'AN    ]j.\U\ 


1!M> 


of  tlic  Ui'itisli  tlicatrc  ;  an<l  as  for  the  \vil  it  ciMitains,  vci-y 
littii'  of  that  was  Icvol  to  tlic  coiiipivlu'iisioii  of  tlic  novices 
who  wcri'  tlu'ic  lii'st  initiatcMl  into  a  knowk'di^c  <»f  the  iiiai;i(! 
of    the  scent',   yet    tliey  "  hiui^hed    c(»nsniiie(lly,"  as  Scinh 
Havs,   and  actnallv  <li«l  so,  "  because  thi-v   were  talkini"'  of 
liini."     They  laiii^died  at  Sernl»'s  jjjestiires  and  a|i|ieaiance  ; 
and  tliey   hvnj^lied   very  lieartily  at  seeinjx  the  yay   yount; 
ensigns,  whom  they  liad  l)een  used  to  (h-mce  with,  tiirting 
fans,  <lis]iiayin<;  great  hoops,  and,  with  ]»ainted  cheeks  and 
eoh)red    eyed)i'ows,    sailing      Ixmt    in    female    habiliments. 
This  was  a  jest  palpable  and  level  to  every  understanding  ; 
and    it   was  not   only  an  excellent  good  oiu',  but   lasted  a 
long  while  ;   for  every  time  they  looked  at  them    when  re- 
stored to  their  own  habits,  tliev  lan<'he(l  anew  at  the  ircol- 
l(>ction    of    their   lati'    mas(piera<le.     "  It    is    nuu-h,"    says 
FalstaflF,  "tlnit  a  lie  with   a  grave    face,  and  a  ji'st    with  a 
sad  brow,  will  do  with  a  fellow  who  never  had   the  ache  in 
his  shoidders."     One  need  only  look   back  to  the   first  rude 
efforts  at  conuc    humor  which    delighti'd  our    fathi'i's,    to 
know  what  gross  and  feeble  jests  amuse  the  mind,  as  yet  a 
stranger  to  refinement.      The  loud   an<l    artless    mirth   so 
easily  excited   in  a  good  luunored   child,  the  nairttv  of  its 
odd  (jnestions  and  ignorant  wonder,  which  delight  us  while 
associated  with   imiocence  and    simj»lieity,   would   pi'ovoke 
the  utmost  disgust  if  we  met  with  them  where  we  look  for 
intelligence  and  decorous  observances.     The  simplicity  of 
primitive  manners,  in  what  regards  the  petty  amusements, 
and  nunute  attentions,  to  which  we  have  become  accustomed, 
is  exactly  tantamount  to  that   of  childhood  ;  it   is  a  thing 
whicli,  in  our  state  of  society,  we  have  no  idea  of.     Those 
who  are    from  their  depressed    situation  ignorant    of   the 
forms  of  polished  life,  know,  at  least,  that  snch  exist  ;  and 
either  awkwai'dly  imitate  them,  or  carefully  avoid  (H)mnut- 
ting  themselves,  by  l)etraying  their  ignorance.     Here,  Avhile 
this  simplicity   (which  by  the  bye,  was  no  more  vulgar  than 


■i     ' 


IBf- 


\ 

I 


■=*•  I  < 


•_'()()  Mll.MolKS    OK    AN     A.Mi:Ult' AN     liAl»V. 

til, it  (•rsli:iki's|K'an''s  .Miraiid;!),  witli  its  cttiu'iimit.iiit  |»iiril  \ , 
I'oiitimu'd  iiiilMoki'ii  1»\  lorcinii  iiumIcs,  it  liml  .ill  tlic  cIimiim 
of  iiiKlrsinniiiu'  fliildliiiod  ;  liiit  wlicii  Icill"  ('diicMtimi  :iiid  ill 
s\i|»|toiti'd  |H(li'iisi(»iis  tdiik  |i|;ic«'  <»r  this  swt'i'l  ;ilt  I'lictioii,  it 
nsmiicd  :i  mtv  ditVncnt  :is|it'('(,  it  \v:is  no  loiincr  siiii|ilicit y, 
liiit  \  ulyMrity.  Tlu'ii'  ;iri'  lliiiiiLjs  tlint  I'vcry  one  Iccls  ;uid 
MO  oiu'  ('.111  dcscrihc  ;  .Miid  this  is  one  of  thcin. 

lint  to  rt'tiirn  to  diir  Miriindiis  :ind  tlwir  ihc.'it  liciil  I  u' rocs  : 
tlii'  I'aiin'  of  tlu'ir  cxhihit ions  went  .•iltroiid,  and  npiiiions  were 
i'di'iiii'd  of  tlicni  no  \v;iy  ta\ orahlc  to  (he  ;i('lors  tir  to  the 
andii'iici'.  In  this  i-cLiion  of  ri'ality,  wIi'IH'  i'it;id  truth  was 
.alw.iys  nndisifiiisi'd,  they  had  not  Icirncd  to  dist inu,iiish  hc- 
twcfii  liction  ;iinl  I'alschood.  It  \v:is  s.aid  that  llit- olliccrs, 
I'.amili.ir  with  cxi'iy  vice  and  cNfry  disiiiiist',  had  not  only 
spent  a  whole  iiiuht  in  tilling  lies  in  a  <'oniilt'rl\'iled  phu'e, 
the  reality  ot'  wliieli  had  nevi'r  exisled,  hnl  that  thev  were 
themselves  a  lie,  and  had  dei>'raded  manhood,  and  broke 
thronnh  an  express  |»rohil)ition  in  scripture,  by  assninint^ 
I'cinalc  habits;  that  they  had  not  only  told  lies,  but  cursed 
and  s\\(M'i'  the  wli<»le  niinht  ;  and  assiinu'd  the  characters  of 
kn.ives.  Tools,  ami  robbers,  which  every  oood  and  wise  man 
held  in  detestation,  and  no  one  would  |tnt  on  unless  they  [\>\l 
themselves  I'asy  in  them.  I'aintinu'  their  laces,  of  all  other 
thintxs,  seenu'd  most  to  violate  the  Albanian  idi'as  of  decorum, 
and  was  looked  upon  as  the  nu)st  llau'rant  abomination, 
(ireat  and  lond  w.as  the  ontt-iy  produced  by  it.  Littlo 
skilled  in  sojihis:  v\,  and  stranu'crs  to  all  the  arts  '■'■  that  make 
the  wors(>  appt'ar  the  better  reason,"  the  yonuij  amlitors  i-onld 
onlv  sav  "  that  indeed  if  was  vei-y  amnsinu'  ;  made  (lu'iu 
humh  lu'artilv,  and  did  harm  \o  nobody."  So  harmless, 
indi'cd,  and  ;ie:ri'eabK'  did  this  I'nterlainment  appi'ar  to  the 
nt'w  converts  of  f.ashion,  that  77ic  lit  cvultiiKj  Ojficif  was 
Lii\t'n  out  for  anotluM'  niu'ht,  to  the  ureat  .annoyance  of  ^l. 
Freylinuhauscn,  who  invoked  heaven  ami  earth  to  witness 
and  ayen<:;e  this  contempt,  not  only  of  his  antlu>rity,  but,  as 


.,). 


r«» 


4. 


<t 


Mil 
"It 
UT 
111, 
>ll. 

Ic 

ll.l 

■111 

S 

U' 
MS 

'SS 
MS 


r,-» 


^^■.» 


Mi'iMdins  OK  AN   Amkuican  Laky 


•JOl 


lie  r\|>i('SS('(|  it,  III'  the  somcc  fiom  \\  llciicc  it  WMs  ilcriMil. 
Siicli  liMil  Ix'i'ii  llic  sMiK'tily  t'l'  'liis  nood  mMiTs  lit'i',  mikI  tlic 
hilMiridiiN  ililint'iK'c  Mini  muI'iiI  cMnicsliK'ss  uilli  wiiicli  lie  iii- 
cilIcMtcil  tlir  (lix't  lilies  he  iMllu'lit,  lliMt  llicy  liM(l  |i|im  luccil  a 
(■(in't'S|M)iiil('ii(  cIlVcl,  lor  the  must  |iMrt,  dii  llic  lives  of  liis 
lit'Mrcrs,  Mini  led  tliciii  to  rcyMnI  liiiii  ms  tlic  next  lliiiiL:;  I<>mii 
('\  Miiiiclist  ;  MC('iist<iiii('<l  to  success  in  mII  liis  iiiiileilMl\iii<'s 
Mild  t<»  "liulior,  love,  ohedielice,  tr<>(i|is  ul"  I'lieiids,"  Mild  mII 
tliMt  ^iMlitiide  Mild  vcliefMlinii  cMli  (ilVer  toils  iiKtst  distin- 
guished (>lije<-l,  this  rclx'Hinii  Mi^Minst  his  Miithoiitv ,  mihI  cun- 
tem|il  nl'  his  (»|iiiiinn  (once  the  slMiidMid  l»\  which  every 
one's  jiidiiineiit  WMs  reyiilMted ),  wounded  him  very  <lee|>ly. 
The  alihoirence  with  which  he  iiis|iire(|  the  |tMreiits  ol'  the 
t PMiisoTessoi's,  MiiioiiL!;  whom  were  niMiiy  yoiiiiy-  men  of  s|iiril 
Mild  intclliju'cnce,  wms  the  occMsioii  ol"  some  rMinily  disMjiTee- 
iiienls,  M  thiiiLif  fornierlv  scMrci'lv  known.  Those  voiinir 
|K'o|»le,  Mcciislomed  to  reti'Mrd  their  |tMrciits  with  ini|ilicit 
reverence,  were  unwilling  to  ini|tiite  to  them  iiiKjiiMlilied 
liMi'shiiess,  Mild  therelore  removed  the  hlMiiie  of  m  coiidiK-t 
so  uiiiisiimI  to  their  s|iirilUMl  i^uide  ;  "mikI  vvliih'  he  thoiiuhl, 
H'ood  cMsy  iiiMii,  lull  surely  his  jj^rcMtncss  wms  m  ripeniiit::,  nipt 
his  root."  h'.Mrly  one  .MoiidMy  morning'.  Miter  the  domiiie 
hMd,  on  the  prececlino-  (h-iy,  heeii  peculiMrly  elociueiit  on  the 
suhji'ct  of  tlicMt  ricMl  Miiuiseinciits,  mikI  pei'iiicioiis  iiiiiov  Ml  ions, 
some  unknown  person  left  within  his  door  m  club,  m  |>Mir  of 
old  shoes,  M  crust  of  hhick  hrcMd,  Miid  m  dolhir.  'I'lie  worthy 
])Mstor  WMS  [luz/.U'd  to  think  vvliMt  this  could  ineMii  ;  l)iit  luid 
it  too  soon  explMimxl  to  him.  It  wms  mii  emhleiiiMlic  message, 
to  sigiiily  tlic  desire  ciiterlMiiKMl  ol'  his  depMrtnre.  Tlie  stick 
W'Ms  to  ]»usli  him  mwmv,  the  shoes  to  vvcMr  on  the  roMd,  Miid 
the  luH'Md  Mild  money  m  provision  lor  his  joiiriicy.  These 
syiidiols  apjiear,  in  fornier  days,  to  have  heeii  more  commonl  v 
used,  and  bet ter  understood  tliMii  Ml  present  ;  for  instMiicc, 
wo  Hinl  tliMt  vvhcMi  Robert  liruco,  arttM'vvards  king  of  Scotland, 
wns  ill  a  kind  of  jioiiorablc  capiicity  in  tlio  court  of  Knglaiid  ; 

26 


I 

3      i 

i     1 


i 


liOli 


MkMoIRS    of    an    AmIvKK'AN    TiADV, 


?.  I 


when  liis  tVicinl,  till' carl  of  (lloiiccstcr,  (liscnvcicd  tliMl  it 
Wiis  the  iiitciilidii  (tf  the  kiiit;  to  iin|»risoii  liiiii  ii-  the  owcr, 
lest  lu'  slioiiM  cscajic  to  Scotland  and  assert  liis  ri<;lits,  iin- 
willini;  liv  word  or  writinj;  to  disco\tr  w  hat  had  jiasscil  in 
council,  ami  at  the  satnc  time  desirous  to  save  his  friend,  he 
sent  him  a  )iairof  ^ilt  s)turs  and  twelve  ci'owns,  and  ordere<l 
the  servant  to  cany  them  to  him  as  returninif  what  he  had 
formerly  Ixu'i'owed  from  him.  This  mysterious  ^ift  and 
nu'ssaj^e  was  imuu'diately  understood  ;  and  prox cd  the  means 
of  restorin't'  l>ruce,  an<l  with  him  the  laws  anil  liln'rty  of  his 
native  kingdom.  \'ery  dilVerent,  howevei",  was  the  etl'ect 
liroiluced  l>y  this  mal  :i))i(>[»os  symhol  of  dislike.  Too  con- 
scious, and  too  f<»ml  of  |>o|»ulai'ity,  the  pastor  lani^uished 
under  a  sense  of  imau^inary  <letfra(hition,  grew  jealous,  .and 
thouuht  e\ cry  one  alienatetl  from  him  Itecause  a  few  <;iddy 
young  people  were  stimulated  by  momentary  I'l'sentments 
to  express  disapprobation  in  this  vague  and  dubious  manner. 
Thus,  insensibly,  do  vanity  and  self-opinion  mingk'  with  our 
highest  duties.  Ilatl  the  domine,  satisfied  with  the  testi- 
mony of  a  good  conscienci',  gone  on  in  the  exercise  of  his 
duty,  and  been  above  avowing  little  personal  rescntnu'Uts 
to  mingle  with  his  zeal  for  what  lu'  thought  right,  hi'  might 
have  felt  himself  fai-  above  an  insult  of  this  kind  ;  but  he 
found  to  his  cost,  that  "  a  habitation  giddy  and  unsui-e  hath 
he  that  huildeth  on  the  fickle  heart"  of  the  unsteady,  wavei-- 


ing  multitude, 


CITAPTEII  XXXVI. 

Do^iixE  Frkijnghuysen  i.kaves  his  People. 


M. 


ADAME  no\y  returned  to  town  with  the  colonel  ;  and 
finding  this  general  disorder  and  division  of  sentiments  with 
regard  to  the  pastor,  as  well  as  to  the  adoption  of  new 
modes,  cndeayored,  with  her  usual  good  sense,  to  moderate 


I 

i 


^i 


t'l 


'P'Vmi^mt.ni 


Jl]iH3il!l'««UIJiLjLr!l-i.ii,..! 


^^l•;M<lllts  UK  AN   Amimjuan   Lakv. 


208 


1 

•  r 


^ 


aiul  lu'iil.  Slic  \v:is  always  nf  <)|iiiiioii  that  the  increase  of 
wealth  shiiiilil  \n'  accompanii'il  willi  a  |>ri»|M>rtioiialt'  |ti'u- 
^H"*H  ill  fctiiu'iiiciit  ainl  iiilcMiLjt'iMU'  ;  lnil  she  hail  a  |iar- 
ticular  tlisliki'  t<t  |M'ii|»h''s  t'ursakiiii;  a  r('<»|t»'ctal»U'  plaimicss 
of  dress  ami  iiiamicrs  for  mere  imncrrcct  imilatioii,  aiiil 
iiit'h'tjaiit  tiiicry.  Slu'  knew  too  will  the  |ii<itfrcss  of  socirty 
to  ('X|ii'ct,  that,  as  it  i;i\'W  wealthy  ainl  miiiieroiis,  it  would 
retain  its  pristine  purity  ;  l»ii!  then  sjie  picrenf(|  a  "  irradual 
abolition"  of  old  hahits,  that  people,  as  they  iceedeil  from 
their  original  modes  of  thinking;  and  ii\iiit;',  ini<j;ht  rather 
beeonie  simply  elegant,  than  tawdrily  line  ;  and  tliouL,di  she 
all  along  wished,  in  every  possilile  way,  to  promote  the 
eomf(»rt  of  the  hrave  men  to  whom  the  count  ry  owecj  so 
much,  she  by  no  means  tlioiight  an  indiscriminate  a<liiiissio!i 
of  those  strangers  among  the  youth  of  the  place,  so  un- 
practieefl  in  the  way.'  of  the  world,  an  advisable  mi'asure  : 
she  was  particulai'ly  displeased  with  tin-  peisoii  in  whosu 
liouse  the  colonel  of  the  regiment  lodged,  for  so  entirely 
d(Uiiestieating  a  showy  stranger,  of  whose  real  character  ho 
knew  so  little.  Liberal  ami  judicious  in  her  views,  shediil  not 
altogethei-  approve  the  austerity  of  the  domiiie's  opinions, 
nor  tile  vi'heiuence  of  his  language  ;  and,  as  a  Christian, 
she  still  less  approved  his  dejection  and  c<»iicern  at  the 
neglect  or  rudeness  of  a  few  thoughtless  young  ]>ersons. 
In  vain  the  colonel  and  Mailame  soothe(l  and  clu'ered  him 
with  counsel  and  kindness  ;  night  and  dav  he  innse<l  on  the 
imajiined  insult  ;  nor  could  the  joint  etfcu'ts  of  the  most 
respectable  inhabitants  pri'veiit  his  heart  from  being  cor- 
roded with  the  sense  of  imagined  unkindness.  At  length 
he  took  the  resolution  of  leaving  those  peo|)le  so  dear  to 
h'un,  to  visit  his  frien<ls  in  Uolland,  jtromising  to  return  in 
a  short  time,  whenever  his  health  was  restored,  and  his 
spirits  luori'  com[K)sed.  ^V  J)utch  ship  haj»pened  about  this 
time  to  touch  at  New  A'ork,  on  board  of  which  the  domine 
embarked  ;  but  us  the  vessel  belonging  to  Holland  was  not 


i 


i      ! 


f  -■! 


;  ^ 


204 


Mfmoiks  ov  an  Aaikrican  Lady. 


o.\|n\  fed  t(»  return,  iiiid  lie  did  not,  ;is  lie  liiid  itroiiiUt'd, 
either  write  ov  i-etiirn  in  :im  En»;lisli  slii|>,  liis  congreg.'ition 
rennnned  f(»i-  a  yrent  while  uiisii|>]ilied,  >•  liile  his  silence 
U'Hve  room  for  the  most  anxious  and  ]»ainrul  conjeetures  ; 
these  were  not  soon  i-emove<l,  I'or  the  inti-reourse  Mith  Hol- 
land was  not  fiV(|uent  or  diivet.  At  h'ngth,  howi'Xt'r,  the 
sad  reality  was  but  loo  well  ascertained.  This  victim  of 
lost  i>o)iulai"it y  had  a|i|»eare<l  silent  and  melancholy  to  his 
shipmates,  ami  walked  constantly  on  dei-k.  At  length  he 
suddenly  disapiie'ired,  lea\ing  it  (h>ul)tl"ul  whether  he  had 
fallen  oveihoai'd  hy  accident,  oi'  was  prompti'd  hv  des]»air 
to  plunge  into  eternity.  If  this  latter  was  thei-ase,  it  tnusl 
ha\e  heen  the  Cv.nse<|uence  of  a  temporary  til  of  insanity  ; 
for  no  man  had  led  a  n  )re  spotless  life,  and  no  man  was 
more  beloved  by  all  that  were  intimately  known  to  him. 
Tie  was,  indei'd,  before  the  fatal  affront,  which  made  such 
an  un(bie  impression  on  him,  consi(!ered  as  a  blessing  to  the 
l»lace  ;  and  his  memory  was  so  belo.ed,  and  his  fate  so  re- 
gretted, that  this,  in  additi(»n  to  some  otlu'r  occui-rences 
falling  out  about  the  sanu"  time,  entirely  turned  the  ti<le  of 
ojtinion,  ami  rendere<l  the  thinking  :vs  well  as  the  violent 
]»arty,  more  avei'se  to  inno\ations  than  ever.  Had  the  Al- 
banians been  catholics,  they  would  [irobably  liave  canonized 
]M.  Freylinghausen,  whom  they  ctuisidered  as  a  martyi-  to 
levity  an<l  innovation.  He  pro]»hesied  a  great  deal  ;  such 
pi'o])hecy  as  ardent  and  eomi)reheiisive  minds  have  didiveivd, 
without  any  olhei-  inspirati(»n  but  that  of  the  sound,  strong 
intellect,  which  augurs  the  future  from  a  comparison  with 
t  lie  past,  and  a  rational  deduction  of  probable  coiise(|uences. 
The  airectit)n  that  was  ent(  rtained  for  his  memory  induced 
]ieo|)le  to  listen  to  the  most  romantic  storii's  of  his  being 
landed  on  an  island,  and  become  a  hermit  ;  taken  up  into  a 
ship  when  floating  on  the  sea,  into  which  he  had  accidentally 
fallen,  and  carried  to  some  remote  country,  from  which  he 
was  expected  to  return,  iVaught  with  ex}>ei-ience  and  faith. 


p]ui««UL'!-ULiiim  uiiii'ii  ■y.iniinuJ'in  u'ljiiJiLr- luiaiNHiiiui]  iJii'-'ituiMii.a«'tcMt'ir'-ii<!i»»'tB  mS^BI 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lat)\'. 


205 


I  rtMiKMiibiT  some  of  my  oarlicsl  rcvcru's  toliavc  been  orcii- 
])it'(l  l)y  the  mysterious  (lisai>iH'ar;ui('o  <»t'  this  i^anl-latiMl 
pastor. ' 

In  the  meanwhile  new  events  were  unroldinu'  more  rnlly 
to  the  All»anians  the  eharaetei's  of  theii-  hitely  ae(|nire(l 
friends.  Sc-andal  of  lifty  yeai's  standinu',  must  l»y  tlistime, 
Inive  become  abnost  pointU'ss.  Tlie  hoiisi' where  ihe  younij; 
eolonel,  formerly  mentioned,  was  billeted,  and  m:;de  his 
<|uarters  o'ood  by  every  art  of  sedueti\  i' eonrtesy,  wa>  oeeu- 
jtietl  by  a  |tei'son  wealthy,  and  sonu'what  vain  an  I  sliallow, 
who  had  an  only  (haught"r  ;  I  am  not  ei'rtain,  but  I  thiid< 
siie  was  his  only  child.  Slic  was  youuij,',  li\i'ly,  bold,  con- 
ceited and  exceed! ni^'ly  well-lookini;".  Artless  and  fearless 
of  conse(|uences,  this  thou<>-ht less  creature  saw  every  day  a 
])erson  who  was,  no  (h)ubt,  as  mui-h  plcasi'd  with  ln'r  as  oiu' 


'  Thcro  is  an  entry  of  a  l)a])tisni  by  liini  on  tlie  lUli  Oct.,  1759,  in  tlio 
cliurch  Doip  Bock,  hwi  »tran<je  to  say,  t.icn;  is  a  I'-ttcr  in  cxistcnct', 
written  on  the  lOtli  Oct.,  IToO,  by  O.  .ibeel  <;!'  New  York  to  his  rela- 
tives in  Albany,  in  which  lie  says  that  while  he  was  writin<>',  the  ship 
in  which  Doni  Frielinj^hnysen  had  embarked  was  leaving  the  j)ort, 
and  accordinyr  to  custom  the  {funs  were  firint;  parting  salutes.  That 
on  tin,"  pnivious  Sunday  ]n'  ])reached  in  the  new  Dutch  church,  and 
when  he  sat  down,  after  f^ivini;  out  the  last  i>salm,  the  bench  cruve 
way  and  he  fell  to  the  floor,  whicli  was  universally  rej^arded  as  a  bad 
omen.  Ainonjj;  otlier  <jrossip,  it  was  remarked  that  the  ocean  was  fatal 
to  his  family,  and  tlie  impression  that  he  would  never  retiu'n  pervaded 
th(i  minds  of  the  peojjle  standing  about  and  discussing  the  matter.  A 
letter  to  his  wile  is  extant,  showing  that  the  doiniiu'  was  in  London, 
expecting  to  embark  on  his  return  to  America, since  which  nothing  is 
known  of  him.  I."*"'  Thomas  DeWittsays  he  went  to  Holland  on  busi- 
ness growing  out  of  the  impending  controversy  in  the  church,  con- 
cerning the  ni'ti/n,  the  ordination  of  tht;  clergy  ;  a  jiarty  insisting  that 
it  was  not  imjierative  that  the  candidate  should  go  to  Ilolla'-.d  to  re- 
ceive the  rite  there,  as  had  biion  the  practice.  His  child  Eva,  baptized 
5  Dec,  n.^G,  was  buried  15  Sept.,  1757  {MitnstWfi  Ainuil->).  Ano'her 
Eva  was  baptized  10  Sept.,  1758  {Pearmn'n  Emiij  Settlers).  These 
ani  the  only  children  of  Dom.  Frielinghuysen,  that  are  fomid  recorded, 
and  an!  said  to  have  been  grand  children  of  (Jeertruy  Isabella  Lydius, 
daughter  of  Domine  John  Lydius,  pastor  of  the  church,  1700-D. 


^ 


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f 


f' 


Si    :■ 


Hi 

>    V 


'f     t 


1 


I 


liOC. 


Mkmoius  ok  an   A.mkkk'an   Lahy. 


coiiM  lie  willi  mere  yoiitli,  ItcMiity,  Mini  kimlncss,  Mniiniitcd 
l>y  vi\  :"'il  \ ,  Mild  dist  iii^iiislu'd  iVom  licr  cuiiipMnioiis  l>v  mII 
I  lu' I'liilicli'sliinciils  wliicli  wcmIiIi  cuiild  in-ociirc  in  lIiMt  iiii- 
rMsliioiicd  (|iiMrlt'r  ;  liis  IicmiM,  Iiow ex cr,  wms  smIc,  as  will 
M|>|i('Mr  IVom  (lie  spinel.  MMdMinc  lorcsMW  tlic  ('()|is»m|iu'I1('('S 
liUcIv  (<>  rcsiill  rroiiiMii  iiitiiiiMcv  dMily  n"r<i\viiiu\  wIicit  llicfc 
WMS  litlii'  pnidciicc  on  (lie  oim-  side,  Mild  ms  litllvot'  iIimI 
honor  wliicli  slionld  n's|i('ct  uiisus|i('ctiiiLi'  innocence  on  liie 
oilier.  She  WMi'iied  ihe  tMinilv.  hiil  in  VMiii  ;  lhe\  eoiisiilered 
mMrrinu'e  ms  (he  wi>rsi  coiise(|nence  tliMl  coiild  ensue;  Miid 
this  ihey  eoiihl  not  easily  liMxe  iieeii  reconciled  to,  notwitli- 
slMiidiiiu'  ihe  iMiiiily  Miid  I'orl  iiiie  <ir  ihe  lexer,  liMd  not  his 
address  Mild  Mlleiilioiis  eharined  tlu'iii  into  a  kind  ol"  tMcit 
ae<|iiiesceiu'e  ;  lor,  ms  a  IJoinan  eiti/.eii  in  the  proud  days  of 
the  re|iiililic  would  liaxc  refused  his  daiiu'litt'i'  to  a  kin.u",  an 
Alhaniaii.  at  oiu-  |<erio(l,  would  rather  have  his  dMue'hler 
niMrried  to  the  nieanest  of  his  I'ellow-cit  i/.eiis,  than  to  a  jier- 
soii,  ol"  tlu>  hiuhest  rank  in  tiie  army,  heeaiise  they  thouu'lit 
a  yoniiii'  person,  l»y  such  a  inarriau'c,  was  not  only  forever 
alienateil  i'rom  her  fMinily,  hut  from  tlios*'  pure  inorMis  and 
plain  niMiiners,  in  which  they  considered  the  L;reMtest  possi- 
h\v  happiness  to  i'\isl.     To  n'turii  : 

WhiU'  tlu'se  u'ayeties  were  u'oiiii:;  on,  and  the  uiiha|)py 
domiiie  einharkinu'  on  the  voyan'e  which  ti'rminali'd  his 
career,  an  order  came  f(U"  the  colonel  io  inarch  ;  this  was 
the  onlv  commander  who  had  ever  In'cn  in  town  who  liad 
not  spc'iit  any  time,  or  Mski-d  any  counsel  at  the  I'Mats. 
McMiiwhile  iiis  ("alistM  (for  such  she  was)  tore  her  hair  in 
frantic  agonies  at  lii>  di'partiire  ;  not  (hat  she  in  the  least 
doulttcd  iA'  his  retiirninn-  soon  (o  o'ixt'  a  piihlic  sanction  to 
their  union,  hut  lest  he  should  prove  a  xictim  to  the  war 
then  existinu"  ;  and  hecause,  beiiiu;  very  impetuous,  and  un- 
accus(omed  to  control,  the  ohjeet  of  her  wishes  had  been 
di'l:'_,ed  to  a  futiiri'  period,  in  a  short  time  tliine;s  began 
[o  assume  a  more   serious  as}>i'ct  ;  aiul  her  father  cauiu  one 


tS 


is? 


1 


I 


.   i 


MllMdIKS    OF    AN     A.MKRK'AN     LaHV 


207 


•V 


«4. 


4 


I 


*\:\y  posliii!^   to  tlic    l''l;ils,  un  liis    wmv  (o  tlic    liikcs,  scckiiiii; 
(•(tiinscl  lt><i  l.-iic,  MMil  rcijiicsl  iii^-  the  :\\i\  ul'  tlicir  iiilliK'iirc  lo 

hriiij;'  ;il)iiM|   m  iii;iiM'i;iL!,c,  wliicli  slmuld  cnvcr  (lie  disM-ni I 

Ills  riunily.  Tlicy  li.-id  lit  I  Ic  liii|)('s  dl"  liis  success,  yet  lie 
proceeded  ;  ;iiid  iiiidiiin'  tlie  coliuiel  deal'  loidl  his  ;n';^il- 
iiieiits,  lie  liad  i'ec(Hii-se  to  eiil  real  y,  and  liiially  nIVereil  to 
divi'sl.  Iiiiiiseir  of  all  Init  a  mere  siil»sisteiice,  and  ,L;;i\e  liini 
sncli  a  fort  line  as  was  iie\ cr  lieard  of  in  t  hat  <'onnt  I'y.  'Tliis, 
with  an  an^el,  as  tln'  fond  lallier  tlionu'ld  lier,  a|)|ieared 
irresist  ilde  ;  hut  no  I  heir  to  a  coiisi(h'ral)le  I'ortMnein  his 
own  count  IT,  and  perhaps  inwardly  di'spisiiiL;;  a  romp,  whom 
he  had  not  consi(h're<l  iVoin  llielirst  as  est  iinahle,  he  was 
no(,  lo  he  soothed  or  hrihed  into  coinpliaiice.  The  dejecleij 
father  retiiriie(|  <lisconsolate  ;  and  the  astonishment  and 
liorrorthis  alto<j;etlier  novel  occurrence  occasioned  in  the 
town,  was  not  to  l»e  descrilxMJ.  ()f  such  a  circumstance 
there  was  no  existing"  preceileiil  ;  half  the  citv  were  r<'latei| 
to  the  fair  culprit,  for  penitent  she  could  hardly  he  calle(|. 
This  unexpected  refusal  t  lirew  t  he  whole  city  into  consterna- 
tion. One  Would  lia\ c  t  hoiinht  there  had  l»een  an  earth- 
(piake  ;  and  all  the  insulted  domine''s  predictions  rose  to 
reinemhrance,  armed  with  avenj^iiiLJ  terrors. 

Many  other  thiiiLjs  occurreil  to  justii'y  the  domine's  cau- 
tion ;  and  tliee\tr"me  reluctance  which  the  elders  of  the 
land  slutwed  to  all  such  !issociati(tns.  All  this  Mailaine 
Ljivatly  lanienti'd,  yet  coidd  not  accpiit  tli<'  part  ies  concerned, 
whosi'  duly  it  was,  either  to  keep  their  <lauu;ht('i-s  from  tliat, 
society  for  which  their  undisjjfuised  simplicity  of  heart 
unlitted  them,  or  n'ive  them  that  culture  and  usasjje  of  life, 
which  enables  ;i  younj^  person  to  maintain  ;i  (H-rtuin  dit^nily, 
and  to  revolt  at  the  lirst  trespass  on  ilecorum  Her  own 
j)rot(''g(''s  were  instancM's  of  this  ;  who,  havinjjf  their  minds 
oarly  stored  with  sentiments,  such  as  would  eiiahle  the  m 
truly  to  estimaie  their  own  value,  and  to  judge  of  the  cliu- 
rjietors  and  pretensions  of  those  who  coiiviTsed  v.i'h  them  ; 


!        I 


X 


1 


u 


»^1 


Mkmoihs  of  an  Amkhican   Lady. 


20!  > 


comtiion  I'di' it,y  liad  Ix'cii  t^ruiilcil  to  {licir  imituiil  anVction, 
iiiid  with  wlial  t raii<|iiilily  lie  was  t'lialdcM  to  l<»<)k  loi-ward 
to  (liat  even)  wliicli  is  ('0111111(111  to  all,  and  wliicli  would  he 
canicstly  dcsiiVMl  if  witlilicid  ;  lie  ('.\|)cct('(l  of  her  that, 
wliatcN cr  iniiflit  liappcii,  she  would  look  hack  willi  <frati- 
tiidc,  and  forwai'd  willi  hope  ;  and  in  the  incantinic  honor 
liis  memory,  and  her  own  proiessioii  of  faith,  l>y  continniiiLJ 
to  live  in  the  mannei'  they  had  hitherto  done,  that,  he  miujht 
have  t  he  comrort  ol'  t  hinkiiiii;  that  his  house  niiL;ht  still  lt(^ 
an  asylum  t.o  the  helpless  and  the  slranii;er,  and  a  desii'iihle 
place  of  meetiiiL!;  to  his  most  value(|  IViends  ;  this  was 
spoken  with  an  unalterc(|  countenance,  and  in  a  calm  and 
civ'en  tone.  .Madame,  however,  was  alarme(|  ;  I'riends  from 
all  (|uarters  poure(|  in,  with  the  most  anxious  concern  for 
tlni  event.  I»y  this  time  there  was  ;in  hospital  hiiilt  at, 
Albany  for  the  troops;  with  a  res^iilar  me(lical  estahlish- 
mcnl.  No  human  aid  was  wanting,  and  the  (M)niposiire  of 
Madame  astonishe(l  every  one.  This,  however,  was  founded 
on  liope  ;  for  she  never  could  le,  herself  imat^inethe  (lan<j;er 
.serious,  heinijj  Hattere(l  both  by  thc^  me(li(\al  attendants,  and 
th(3  sinsjjular  fortitude  of  tli(3  ]»atient.  Ife,  liowevei',  con- 
tinued to  arr.anufe  all  thin<j^s  foi*  the  chani^e  he  expect.ed  ; 
he  left  his  houses  in  town  and  country,  his  platen,  and  in 
short  all  his  ellVn'ts,  t(»  his  wife,  at  her  sole  disposal  ;  his 
estates  \v(M"e  linally  left  to  the  orphan  son  of  his  nephew, 
then  a  child  in  the  family  ;  but  .Madame  was  to  enjoy  the 
rents  durint''  her  life. 

His  negroes,  for  whom  he  had  a  tj^reat  affection,  were 
admitted  every  day  to  visit,  him  ;  and  with  all  the  ardof  of 
attachment  jxnailiar  to  that  kiiiddiearted  race,  iin])loi'ed 
lieaven  day  and  niL!;lit  for  his  iv('()very.  'I'he  day  before 
Ills  death,  he  had  them  .all  calle(l  round  his  bed^  and  in  their 
presence besoutdit  Mad:une  that  she  would  upon  no  aecount 
sell  any  of  them  ;  this  i'e(piest  he  would  not  have  made 
could  he  have  foreseen  the  eonsequericos.     On  the  iifth  day 

27 


i  I 


"mm 


210 


Memoirs  of  an  Ameiucan  Lady. 


I.' 


of  his  illness  ho  quietly  breathed  his  hist  ;  havini^  expressed, 
while  he  was  able  to  artieulate,  the  most  jterfeet  eontideneo 
ill  the  iiierev  of  the  (Jod  whom  he  had  diligently  served  and 
entirely  trusted  ;  and  the  most  tender  attaehment  to  the 
friends  he  was  about  to  leave. 

It  would  be  a  vain  attempt  to  describe  the  sorrow  of  a 
family  like  his,  who  had  all  been  aeeustoined  from  ehildhood 
to  look  U))  to  him  as  the  first  of  mankind,  and  the  medium 
tlirousxh  which  they  received  every  earthly  blessintj;  ;  while 
the  serenity  of  his  wisdom,  the  sweet  and  u'eiitic  cast  of  his 
lieartfelt  pi«'ty,  and  the  e(|ual  mildness  of  his  tenij»er,  ri'ii- 
dered  him  incapable  of  embitterint^  oblitjations  ;  so  that 
liis  tj;iMierous  humanity  and  liberal  hosjdtality,  were  adorned 
by  all  the  txraces  that  courtesy  could  add  to  kindness.  The 
public  voice  was  loud  in  its  plaudils  and  lamentations.  In 
tlie  various  characters  of  a  patriot,  a  lu'ro,  and  a  saint,  he 
was  dear  to  all  the  friends  of  valor,  humanity,  and  public 
spirit  ;  while  his  fei'vent  loyalty,  and  unvaried  attachment 
to  the  kinuj,  and  the  laws  of  that  country  by  which  his  own 
was  protected,  endeared  him  to  all  the  servants  of  i^overn- 
meiit  ;  w'lo  knew^  they  never  should  meet  with  another 
e(pially  able,  or  equally  disposed  to  smooth  their  way  in  the 
paths  of  duty  assigned  to  them. 

To  government  this  loss  would  liave  been  irre))arable, 
liad  not  two  singular  and  highly  meritorious  characters  a 
little  before  this  time  made  tlu'ir  aj)pearance,  and  by  su- 
periority of  merit  and  abilities,  joined  with  integrity  seldom 
to  be  met  with  anywhere,  in  :  ome  degree  suppliecl  the  loss 
to  the  public.  Oiu'  of  these  was  Sir  William  .Johnson,  the 
Indian  superintendent,  formei-ly  mentioned  ;  the  other  was 
Cadwallader  Colden,'  for  a  very  long  period  of  years 
lieutenant-governor    (indeed    virtually   governor)    of   New 


'  Cmlwallader  Colden  was  born  in  Diinse,  Scotland,  Feb.  17,  1G88  ; 
died  on  Long  Island,  Sept.  2S,  177(5. —  M. 


;;:„ ;.  ..^MKx^MA-«A'i'!WWB>» 


>,..jju^Aij 


loin 
loss 
thy 
was 
c'iirs 
Xt'w 

[088; 


Memoius  or  AN  Amhuican  Lady. 


211 


York  ;  wlio  '  '  point  of  jiolitical  sut^acity,  and  tliorougli 
knowU'dgc  of  llio.s  •  Ik'  y;ovc'nu'(l,  was  fully  cajyablo  to  supply 
that  place.  This  shrewd  aii<l  ahlc  ruler,  whose  orln'iu  I 
holieve  was  not  very  easily  traeecl,  was  said  to  he  a  Scotch- 
man, and  had  raised  himself  solely  hy  his  merit  to  the  station 
lie  lu'ld.  in  this  he  maintained  himself  hy  iiidefatigahle 
diliii^ence,  rij^id  justiiu-,  and  the  most  |»erfect  impartiality. 
lie  neither  sou<j;lit  to  he  feared  nor  IovimI,  hut  merely  to  he 
esteemed  and  trusted,  and  thus  fixed  his  power  on  the  hroad 
foundation  of  piihlicr  utility.  Successive  g(»veriiors,  little 
ae(piainted  with  tlu;  country,  and  e(pially  stranijers  to  busi- 
ness, found  it  convenient  to  leavt'  the  manaj^enient  with 
him  ;  who  confessedly  understood  it  better  than  any  one 
else,  and  who  had  no  friends  but  a  few  personal  ones,  and 
no  enemies  but  a  few  public  ones,  who  envied  his  station. 
It  was  very  extraordin.ai'y  to  st-e  a  man  rule  so  lon<^  and 
so  steadily  where  he  was  merely  and  coldly  esteemed  :  with 
so  few  of  the  advantages  that  generally  procure  success  in 
tlu!  world,  witliout  birth  or  alliance  ;  lie  had  not  even  the 
recomnu'iidation  of  a  pleasing  a|)pearance,  or  insinuating 
address.  He  was  diininutive,  and  somewhat  more  than  high- 
shouldered  ;  the  contrast  betwixt  the  wealth  of  his  mind, 
and  the  i)overty  of  his  outward  appearance,  might  I'emind 
one  of  yEsoj>,  or  rather  of  the  faithful  though  ill-shaped 
herald  of  Ulysses  : 

"  Erubutos  in  whoso  larffo  niintl  alnni", 
Ulysses  viewed  the  imatjo  of  his  own." 

Thus  -was  it  with  Colden.  Among  the  number  of  go- 
vernors who  succeeded  eadi  other  in  his  time,  if  by  chance 
one  happened  to  be  a  man  of  ability,  lie  estimated  his  merit 
at  its  just  rate  ;  and  whatever  original  measure  lie  might 
find  it  necessary  to  take  for  the  public  good,  left  the  com- 
mon routine  of  business  in  the  hands  of  that  tried  integrity 
and  ex})erience,  in  Avhich  he  found  them  ;  satisfied  with  the 


212 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


stiito  and  tlic  ])()])ul:irity  of  t^ovcrnor,  on  whicli  tlic  otlicr 
]\H(\  not  a  wish  fo  cncroacli.  CoMcn,  liowi'vcr,  cnriclicd 
liis  own  family,  in  a  inainuT  on  tho  wholo  not  oUjcctionaldc  ; 
lie  jirocured  from  tho  sncccssive  goviTnoi-s  various  grants  of 
land,  wliicli,  tlioujjjli  valuaMe  in  (|uality,  AVi'rc  not,  from  the 
remotoiu'sHof  their  situation,  an  ohjectof  desire  to  settlers  ; 
and  purchased  grants  from  many,  who  had  obtained  the 
property  of  them,  anjong  which  were  different  governors  and 
military  commanders.  Hi'  allowed  this  mine  of  future 
wealth  to  lie  (piietly  ripening  to  its  value,  till  the  lands  near 
it  were,  in  |)roeessof  time,  settle<l,  and  it  became  a  desirable 
object  to  })urchasc  or  liold  on  lease. 


T 


I     \ 


\\'    i,: 


I  <>     ■( 


CIIAPTEU  xxx\  iir. 

Mrs.  Sciii'Yi-Eu's  Aim{a.\(;i:.mk.\ts  am^  Conduct  after  the 

Colonel's  Death. 

X  HE  mind  of  our  good  aunt,  wlTu^h  had  never  before 
yielded  to  calamity,  seemed  altogether  subdued  by  tlie 
painful  separation  from  her  husband.  Xever  liuving  left 
her  consort's  bed-side,  or  known  the  refreshment  of  a  quiet 
sleej),  during  his  illness,  she  sunk  at  first  into  a  kind  of 
torpor,  which  her  friends  willingly  mistook  for  the  effects 
of  resignation.  This  was  soon  succeeded  by  the  most  acute 
sorrow,  and  a  dangerous  illness,  the  consequence  of  her 
mental  sufferings.  In  s}>ring  she  slowly  recovered,  and  en- 
deavored to  find  consolation  in  returning  to  the  regulation 
of  her  family,  and  tlie  society  of  her  friends,  for  both  which 
she  had  been  for  some  months  disqualified.  Her  nieces, 
the  ]Miss  Cuylers,  were  a  great  comfort  to  lier,  from  their 
affectionate  attention,  and  the  i)leasure  slie  took  in  seeing 
them  growing  up  to  be  all  that  her  iuaternal  affection  could 


1 


■rorc 
llie 
;  left 
]uiet 
(1  of 

C'CtS 

elite 
her 
en- 
ti(»ii 
lieli 
ees, 
heir 


T 
(\ 

I 
I: 

J 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


213 


1 


wisli.  Tn  tlie  socliil  [jrief  of  Pedrom,'  avIio  ^ave  all  histiiiu^ 
to  her  (liiriiiLC  the  early  l»art  of  her  widowhood,  she  also 
found  eoiisolatioii  ;  and  whenever  she  was  able  to  receive 
them,  her  frien<ls  eanie  from  all  (iiiarters  to  express  their 
sympathy  and  iheii"  respect.  The  colonel's  heir  and  her  own 
eldest  nephew  inadi',  with  (ine  of  her  nieces,  a  )»art  of  her 
family  ;  and  the  necessity  of  attendinL,^  to  such  affairs  as 
formerly  lay  within  the  coloners  province,  serviMJ  further 
to  occupy  hei-  minu  ;  yet  lier  thoughts  continually  recurred 
to  tliat  loss,  which  she  daily  felt  more  and  more.  She  had 
l)uried  the  colonel  in  a  spot  within  a  short  distance  of  his 
own  house,  in  which  he  had  formerly  desire<l  t<»  rejiose  ; 
that  his  remains  might  noi  (piit  a  scene  so  <lear  to  hini  ;  and 
that  the  place,  rendered  sacred  hy  his  ashes,  might  in  future 
l)e  a  common  sepulture  to  his  family  ;  that  he  might  in 
death,  as  in  life,  l»e  surrounded  by  the  objects  of  his  affec- 
tion and  beneficence.  This  consecrated  spot,  about,  tlic  size 
of  a  small  flower  garden,  was  enclosed  foi'  this  i)urpose.  and 
a  tomb-stone,  with  a  suitable  inscription  erected  over  the 
grave,  wlieiv  this  excellent  person's  relict  pi'opose<l  her  aslies 
should  minsxle  with  liis. "     In  the  mean  time,  tliout-h  by  con- 

'  Tlio  colonel's  brother  Peter,  so  called. —  Mrs.  Grant.  [Query,  Peter- 
(Kim,  uncle  PtsterV  His  portrait  is  preserved  in  the  mansion  of  Madame 
Schuyler  at  the  Flats,  by  Mr.  Stt^phen  Schuyler,  the  present  owner 
and  occupant  of  the  premises.  The  jiortrait  has  been  artistically  copied 
for  (Jen.  John  Tayler  ('coper,  and  rests  anionjr  the  rare  objects  of 
art  at  his  residence  in  Albany. — M.] 

Troni  the  second  bridfje  that  spans  the  Erie  canal  north  of  the  en- 
trance to  the  Albany  cemetery,  on  the  Watervliet  turnpike,  a  quiet 
lane  leads  to  the  ancient  Scliuyler  bouwery,  known  in  liistory  an  The 
Flats;  and  nearly  equidistant  between  the  canal  and  tin;  river,  in  a 
cluster  of  locust  tnM'S,  a  few  rods  north  of  the  lane,  is  the  family  burial 
ground.  The  earliest  dead  were  buried  in  the  church  on  State  street, 
or  in  the  graveyard  on  Beaver  an<l  Hudson  streets,  now  the  site  of  the 
Middle  Dutch  Church.  The  Schuylers  and  Van  Rensselaers  frequently 
intermairied,  and  several  of  the  former  vven^  entombed  in  the  Van  Rens- 
selaer vault.    This  monument  mentioned  by  Mrs.  Grant,  and  alluded  to 


214 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


t 


tiiMially  s|i('!ikiri<:f  of  her  (Icctsist'd  friend,  slic  ]);issc'(l  tlu;  day 
witlidiit  imicli  visihlc  agitatutii,  slic  had  fallen  into  a  Jiablt 
of  vigilance  ;  rarely  sleepinLC  till  nioi'iiintj,  and  sufFeriii<^ 
tliroiiifli  the  silent  lionrs  from  a  }>eriodieal  ajjfony,  for  such 
it  mii^ht  l)e  called,  with  which  she  was  regularly  visited. 
She  had  a  conlidante  in  this  soeret  suffering  ;  a  decent  and 
|»i«Mis  wnnian,  who,  on  the  death  of  her  husband,  a  sergeant 
in  the*  army,  had  been  received  into  this  family  as  a  kind  of 
upper  domestic  ;  and  found  herself  so  liappy,  and  madt^  her- 
self so  useful  in  teaching  reading  and  needle-work  to  the 
children,  that  she  still  remained.  This  goou  woman  slej»t 
in  aunt's  room  ;  and  when  all  the  family  were  at  rest,  slie 
used  to  accompany  her  to  a  small  distance  from  the  tond) 
which  contained  those  remains  !5o  dear  to  her.  Madame,  in 
the  meantime,  entei'cd  alone  into  the  hallowed  enclosure,  an<l 
tliere  indulged  her  unavailing  sorrow.  This  she  contimuMl 
to  do  for  some  time,  as  she  thought  unobserved  ;  lint  being 
very  tall,  ami  become  lai\gc  as  she  advanced  in  life,  her 
figure,  arrayed  in  her  night-clotlies,  was  very  consj)icuous, 
and  was  on  different  occasions  ol)served  l)y  neigld)()rs,  who 
occasionally  passed  l)y  at  night  ;  the  consecjuence  was, 
that  it  was  rumored  that  an  apparition  was  seen  every  night 
near  the  clonel's  grave.    This  came  to  the  ears  of  the  peoj)le 

on  a  pnnioiis  page,  ia  undoubtedly  tlie oldest  one  in  the  ground,  as  well 
an  the  moat  conspicuous.  Madame  Schuyler's  remains  are  said  to  have 
been  buried  by  the  side  of  those  of  her  husband,  but  there  is  no  monu- 
ment or  other  object  to  mark  her  i)lace  of  sepulture.  The  reason 
assigned  for  this  neglect  is,  that  she  left  a  portion  of  her  property  in 
such  a  way  as  to  give  offence  to  some  of  the  heirs,  and  a  question  of 
duty  or  a  sense  of  dissatisfaction  arising  among  the  parties  upon  whom 
it  was  incumb(!nt,  neitlier  of  them  would  charge  themselves  with  the 
undertaking.  A  large  slab  lies  upon  the  ground  near  that  of  Col. 
Philif),  of  the  same  8i'/(!  and  material,  having  a  cavity  in  its  upper 
side,  apparently  designed  for  a  metal  tablet,  which  is  sujjposed  to  havo 
been  abstracted.  There  is  nothing  remaining  upon  it  to  indicate  its 
purpose,  nor  does  any  one  know  to  whom  it  was  dedicated ;  but  it  is 
traditional  that  it  was  not  designed  for  Madame  Schuyler. 


^' 


^jsjggg^ 


BBM 


.afllMi 


~M 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady, 


215 


III 


*?■ 


^^ 


of  the  liousc,  soino  of  whom  h:ul  tlic  curiosity  to  watcli  fit 
!i  (listaiicc,  !in»l  sivw  the  (liva(h'«l  t'onii  appear,  aii<l,  as  they 
tliouLjlit,  vaiiisli.  ^'his  they  carefully  conct-aled  froui  their 
revered  ))atroness.  Every  one  else  in  the  house  liowever 
heard  it  ;  and  a  peusivi'  air  of  awe  and  mystery  overspread 
the  whole  family.  Her  confidante,  however,  told  her  of  it  ; 
and  the  eon8e([uence  of  this  improper  indulifcnce  of  sorrow 
greatly  increased  the  dislike  which  !Ma<hime  had  alway.s 
expressed  for  mystery  and  concealment.  She  was  unwillins^ 
to  let  a  family,  to  whom  she  had  always  set  such  an  e\am|)le 
of  self-comnuind,  know  of  her  indulging  a  weakness  so  un- 
suitable to  her  i'haracter  and  tinu'  of  life.  At  the  same  tinu>, 
however,  she  was  resolveil  not  to  allow  the  belief  of  a  super- 
natural ap))earance  to  fasten  on  their  minds  ;  unwilling  to 
mention  the  subject  herself,  she  was  forced  to  submit  to  the 
liumiliaticm  of  having  it  revealed  by  her  couHdante,  to  (juiet 
the  miiuls  of  the  eluldren  and  domestics,  and  reconcile  thenv 
to  solitude  and  nu)onlight. 

Her  mind  was  at  this  time  roused  fnun  her  own  peculiar 
sorrows,  by  an  alarming  event,  which  disturbed  the  ]>ublio 
tran(|uility,  and  awakened  tlie  fears  of  the  whole  ])rovince, 
by  laying  open  the  westei'u  frontier.  This  was  the  taking 
of  Oswego  by  the  French,  which  fortress  was  tlie  only 
barrier,  e\ce])t  the  valor  and  conduct  of  Sir  William  John- 
son and  his  iSIohawk  friends,  by  which  the  town  was  pro- 
tected on  that  side.  The  poor  people,  who  were  driven  by 
the  terror  of  this  event  from  the  settlements  in  that  (piarter, 
excited  the  sympathy  of  liberal-minded  persons  :  and  the 
interest  which  she  took  in  their  distresses,  was  one  of  the 
first  things  that  roused  the  attention  of  our  good  aunt  to 
herwonted  beneficent  exertions,  (icneral  Kradstreet,  who 
liad  a  liigh  respect  for  her  understanding,  and  consult(Ml 
lier  on  all  enu'rgencies,  had  a  profound  reverence  for  tlie 
colonel's  memory,  and  contimied  his  intimacy  in  the  family. 
The  critical  situation  of   things  at  this   time,    occasioned 


ii 


i- 


21(1 


MkMoIUS    of    an    AmKHICAN    Ti/«I>Y. 


Lord  F^oudoii  l(»  he  sent  out  as  cotiiniaiKtci'  <»!"  the  I'urccs  in 
vViiU'ric.'i.  Mjidamc  rcccivcil  this  noMciiiaii  \s  ln'ii  lie  visitiMl 
All)aiiy,  and  j^avcliini  most  iisdul  inroi-niatioii.  He  was 
introdin'fd  to  licf  l»y  (u'lU'ral  Uradstfci't,  whose  power  and 
c()nse<nu'nee  ininht  he  said  to  increase  with  thi'  disastei'M 
of  the  (MUiitrv  ;  his  <h'|iailment,  was  a  vei'y  lucrative  one, 
and  enaldi'd  him  first,  laical  I y  to  enrich  hiinseH',  and  in  pro- 
cess of  tinu',  his  friend  IMiilip  ScliuyU'r,  who,  from  his  deputy, 
Itecaine,  in  a  manner,  his  coadjutor.     All»aiiy  n(»w  swarme(l 


with    enLTmeers,    planners,    aichitects,     am 


hoatdiuihU'rs. 


N'arious  military  charactei's,  since  liiichly  <listiiiu;uishe(|, 
whose  names  I  do  not  recollect,  thounh  once  familiar  to  nu', 
ohtained  int  ro(luclions  to  .Madame,  who  lieyan  once  more 
to  occupy  her  mind  witli  puhlic  matters,  and  to  open  her 
liouse  to  till'  more  respected  and  well-known  chaiacters 
amonti;  tlie  military.  Her  brother-in-law,  wh(»m  I  have  so 
often  mentioned  under  the  alVectionate  appellation  (»f  l*e- 
di'om,  by  which  he  was  known  in  the  family,  heint?  within 
less  than  half  an  hour's  walk,  spent  miu'h  of  jiis  tinu'  with 
her,  and  I'eceived  her  company.  This  he  was  well  ([ualitied 
to  do,  bein<f  a  person  of  a  comely  di<i;niHed  appearance,  and 
frank,  easy  numners,  inferior  only  to  his  late  brother  in 
depth  of  reflection,  and  comprehension  of  mind. 


:;    ■•  I 


i  I 


CIIAPTKU  XXXTX. 

IMonAWK  Indians  —  Siu  Wii,i,iam  Johnson. 

JlSV  this  time  niattei's  had  gradually  assumed  a  new  aspect 
on  this  great  continent.  The  settlement  at  Alb.any  was  no 
longer  an  insulated  region,  ruled  and  defended  by  the  Avis- 
dom  and  coui-age  diffused  through  the  general  mass  of  the 
inhabitants,  but  begun,  in  the  ordinaiy  course  of  things,  to 
incorporate  with  the  general  state.     The  Mohawk  Indifins 


Mkmuius  of  an  Amkuican  Ladv. 


217 


wiTf  so  cnifMHtMl  l»y  licalics  lt>  iissisl  I  lie  ;ii'm\,  in  its  now 
rcLjiilar  nprraiions  to  tlu'  wt'stwanl,  tliiil  tiny  caiiu'  It-ss 
friMjiu'iitly  to  visit  Allniny.  A  liiu-  of  foils  li;i(l,  ;it  :i  pio- 
iliiiioiiH  cxitclisc,  Im'cii  ciccttd,  Iciiiliiiii  fidiii  AlliiUiy  to 
I'liptT  ("iiiiiula,  l»y  llir  .Moliiiwk  rivi-r,  ami  llir  lakes  of 
Ontario,  Niaj^ani,  <tc.  Many  i(S|K'ct!iiilc  I'lij^'inrcrs  nncic 
t'lij^^a^cil  in  col  >.tiiittiiiy  tlicsc  ;  some  ol'  lliciii  I  ri'iiicinluT 
were  SwciUs,  jK-rsons  of  a  graceful  a|i|u'ai'aiicc,  itolislicti 
inanncrs,  aixl  very  concct  coiKliict.  'riicsr  straiin'crs  coii- 
(liictcd  inaltcrs  Itcttcr  tlian  our  own  connt ryincii  ;  Itciii^ 
more  acconiinodatiiiL;  in  llirir  nianiu'is,  and  hclttT  acfiis- 
toiiU'd  to  a  srvcre  cliinalc,  and  incoiivcnifnccs  of  i-vciv  kind. 
'I'licy  were  frc(|iiciit  guests  at  the  l'"la(s,  were  a  i»leasinj^ 
Jiei'i'ssion  to  the  society,  and  iierl'onned  their  duty  to  the 
|)iihli('  with  a  deLfree  t>f  honor  and  lidelity  that  eheekeil 
ahiises  in  others,  and  resciieil  the  service  they  were  en<;aned 
in,  fi'oin  the  re|troa<'h  which  it  had  incurred,  in  eoiise<|ueiU'e 
of  those  fniiLfi  of  society  which  had  at  first  intrnded  into  it. 
liy  the  advice  of  the  Sehiiylers,  tliei'e  was  now  on  the 
Mohawk  river  a  superintendent  of  Indian  atlairs  ;  tlu-  ini- 
j)()rtaiice  of  which  lieyaii  to  1)e  fully  nndi'istood.  lie  was 
resjfiilarly  appointed,  and  paid  hy  government.  This  was 
the  jnstly  celel)rate<l  Sir  W'illiani  Johnson,'  who  lield  an 
ollice  ditlicult  l)oth  to  execute  ami  detine.  lie  init^ht  indeed 
l)e  called  the  triljune  of  the  Five  Nations  :  whose  claims  he 
asserted,  whose  riylits  he  protecti'd,  and  <»ver  whose  minds 
he  possessed  a  grt'ater  sway  than  any  otlii-r  individual  had 
ever  attaine»l.  lie  was  indeed  calculatecl  to  conciliate  and 
retain  the  affections  of  this  hrave  people  ;  possessing  in 
common  with  them  many  of  those  |»eculiarities  of  mind  ami 
manners,  that  distinguished  them  from  others.  He  was  an 
uncommonly  tall,  well  made  man  :   with  a  line  countenance  ; 


'See  Life  and  Times  of  Sir  milium  Johnson,  Baronet  2  vols.,  Hvo, 
by  Wm.  L.  Stoue,  18G1.—  M. 

28 


218 


Memoirs  of  an  AxMeiiican  Lady, 


whic'li,  however,  liad  rather  an  expression  of  dii^nitied  se- 
datoiiess,  a|»i»roa('hintj;  to  inehinclioly.  lie  a]»i)e.'M'ed  to  be 
taeiturn,  lu'vei*  wasting  words  on  matters  ol'  no  iin[»ortanee  : 
bnt  liighly  ehxjuent  when  tlie  occasion  calk'd  forth  his 
powers.  Ife  possessed  intuitive  saijacity,  and  the  most  en- 
tire command  of  tempei',  and  of  countenance,  lie  did  by 
no  means  h)se  sijj>'ht  of  his  own  interest,  but  on  the  contrary 
raised  Iiimself  to  power  and  wealth,  in  an  open  and  active 
Tuar.ner  ;  not  disdainini;'  any  honoi'abU'  nu'ans  of  Ix-netiting 
himself  :  but  at  the  sanu'  tinu'  the  bad  jtolicy,  as  well  as 
mear.ness  of  sacrificing  respectability,  to  snatchin<^  at  jietty 
present  advantages,  wei-e  so  obvious  to  him,  that  he  lai<l  the 
foundation  of  his  future  pi'osjierity  on  the  broad  and  deep 
l)asis  of  honorable  dealing,  accompanied  by  tlie  most  vigilant 
attention  to  the  ol)jects  he  liad  in  view  ;  acting  so  as,  with- 
out the  least  departure  from  intetiritv  on  the  one  hand,  or 
inatti'ution  to  his  affairs  on  the  other,  to  conduct  himself  in 
such  a  manner,  as  gave  an  air  of  magnanimity  to  his  cha- 
racter, that  made  him  the  object  of  universal  confifU'Uce. 
He  purchased  from  the  Indians  (having  the  grant  confirmed 
by  his  sovereign)  a  large  and  fertile  tract  of  land  upon  the 
Mohawk  river  ;  wlu're,  having  cU'are(l  and  cultivate(l  the 
ground,  he  built  two  spacious  and  convenient  places  of  resi- 
dence :  known  afterwards  by  the  names  of  .Johnson  castle, 
and  Joliuson  hall.  The  first  was  on  a  fine  eminence,  stoek- 
adi'd  round,  and  slightly  fortified  ;  the  last  was  built  on  the 
side  of  the  river,  on  a  most  fertile  and  delightful  plain, 
surrounded  with  an  ain[)le  and  well  cultivated  domain  :  and 
that  again  encircled  by  European  settlers  ;  who  had  first 
conu^  there  as  architects,  (U*  worknu-n,  and  had  been  induced 
l)y  Sir  AVilliam's  liberality,  and  the  singular  beauty  of  the 
district,  to  contimie.  His  trade  with  tho  Five  Nations  was 
very  much  for  their  advantage  ;  lie  supplying  tiu'in  on  more 
ecpiitable  terms  than  any  tradei-,  and  not  indulging  the 
excesses  in  regard  to  strong  liquors  which  otliers  were  too 


Memoirs  of  an  Amkrican  Lady. 


219 


V 


■^1 


I 


easily  iiidiiccd  to  do.  Tlic  castle  contained  the  store  in 
wliicli  all  i^oods  were  laid  up,  wliicli  were  meant  for  the 
Indian  tratlie,  and  all  the  peltry  reeeivi'(lin  exchan!:;e.  The 
hall  was  his  suminei'  residence,  ami  the  place  round  which 
his  ufreatest  improvements  were  made.  ITere  this  singular 
man  live<l  like  a  little  sovcM'eign  ;  kept  an  excrellent  table 
lor  sti'angei-s,  and  otlici-rs^  whom  the  course  of  their  <hity 
now  freipicntly  IcmI  into  these  wihls,  and  l>y  confiding  en- 
tirely on  the  Indians,  and  treating  them  with  unvarit'd  truth 
an<l  justice,  without  ever  yieldinsjf  to  solicitation  what  ho 
had  once  refused,  he  taught  them  to  re]»ose  entire  confidenco 
in  him  ;  he,  in  his  tui'n  i»ecame  attached  to  them,  wore  in 
winter  almost  entirely  their  dress  aii<l  ornam"nts,  and  con- 
tracted a  kind  of  alliance  with  them  ;  for  becoming  a 
widower  in  the  prime  of  life,  hv.  connected  himself  with  an 
Indian  maiden,  daughter  to  a  sacher ',  who  possessed  an 
uneonnnonly  agi'ceable  person,  and  good  understanding  : 
and  whether  ever  f«)rmallv  mari'ied  to  liim  according  to  our 
usage,  or  not,  contrived  to  live  with  him  in  great  union  and 
affection  all  his  life.  So  perfect  was  his  dependence  on 
those  people,  whom  his  fortitude  and  other  manly  virtues 
lia<l  attached  to  him,  that  when  they  returned  from  their 
summer  excursions,  and  exchanged  the  last  year's  furs  fc^r 
tire-arms,  etc.,  they  used  to  pass  a  few  days  at  the  castle  ; 
when  his  family  and  most  of  his  domestics  >vere  down  at 
the  hall.  There  they  were  all  liberally  entertained  by  their 
friend  ;  and  five  hundred  of  them  have  been  known,  for 
nights  together,  after  drinking  pretty  freelv,  to  lie  around 
him  on  the  floor,  while  he  was  the  only  wtiite  person  in  a 
house  containing  great  (plant ities  of  everything  that  was  to 
them  valuable  or  desirable.  While  Sir  William  thus  united 
in  his  mode  of  life,  the  calm  urbanity  of  a  liberal  and  ox- 
tensivi'  ti'ader,  with  tlu;  s|)lendid  hospitality,  the  numerous 
attendance,  and  the  plain  though  dignified  manners  of  an 
ancient  baron,  the  female  [)art  of  his  family  were  educated 


.1 


""^ri 


220 


Mkmoius  of  an  Amrrican  Lady. 


ill  ;i  inaiiiicr  so  entirely  dissimilar  frorii  that   of  all   other 
yoiiiii^  people   of   their  sex    and   station,    that   as   a   matter 
of  curiosity,  it  is  worthy  a  recital.     These  two  younL!;  ladies 
inlierifed,  in  a  Ljreat  measure,  the  j)ersonal  a<1vaiita^es  and 
strenijjth  of  undi'i'standinj^",  for  which  their  fathei*  was  so  dis- 
tinguishe(l.     "^riieir  mother  dyiiii;  when  they  were  youni;,  be- 
queathed the  care  of  them  to  a  I'riend.     '^Fliis  friend  was  the 
widow  of  an  otHc'.'r  who  had  fallen  in  hattle  ;   I  am  not  sure 
whether  she  was  devout,  an<l  shunned  the  world  for  fear  of 
its  ]»ollutions,  or  romantic,  and  des])is(>d  its  selfish  hustling 
s]»irit  ;  l)ut  so  it  was,  that  she  seemed   uttei'ly  to  forget  it, 
and  devoted  herself  to  her  fair  pupils.     "^Po  these  she  taught 
needle-work  of  the  nu)st  elegant  and  ingenious  kinds,  reail- 
ing    and    writing  ;  thus    (piietly    j»assed    theii-    childhood  ; 
their  nionitress  not  taking  tlie  smallest  coiu-ei-n   in  family 
iiianagement,  nor  indeed  the   least  interest  in    any  worldly 
thing  l)ut   themselves  ;  far  less   did  she    in(|uii'e  ahout  the 
f'i,.nions  or  di\-ersions  which   prevailed  in   a  world  she  liad 
renounced  ;  and  from  wliicli  she  seemed  to  wish  her  pupils 
to  remain  foi'  ever  estranged.     Never  was  anything  so  uni- 
form  as   their    di-ess  ;  their   occupations,   and   the    general 
tenor  of  their  lives.     In  the  morning  they  rose  early,  rea<I 
their  Prayer-Uook,  1  believe,  but  certainly  their  Bible,  fed 
tlieii    birds,   tended   their   flowers,   and   breakfasted  ;  then 
Avere  employed   some  iiours  with  unwearied   perseverance, 
at  fine  lu'cdle-work,  for  the  ornamental  ])arts  of  dress,  which 
were  the  fashion  of  the  day,  witliout  knowing  to  what  us(( 
they  were  to  be  put,  as  they  never  wore  tlu'in  ;   and  had  not 
at  the  age  of  sixti'cn  excr  seen  a  hidy,  excepting  each  other 
and  their  governess  ;  they  tlien  read,  as  long  as  tliey  chose, 
the  voluminous   romances  of   the  last   century  ;  of  which 
their  friend  had   an  am])le   collection,   or  Kollin''s  ancient 
liistory,  the   only  ])ooks  they  had   ever   seen  ;  after  dinner 
they,  regularly  in  sunimei-,  took  a  long  walk  ;  or  an  excur- 
sion in  the  sledge,  in   winter,  with  their  friend  :  and  tlien 


4 

w 


mm 


I 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


221 


I 


*<! 


returned  and  ii'sunu'd  tlu'ir  \V()nt«'d  occiiitalions,  witli  tlie 
sole  variation  of  a  sti'oll  in  tlie  i,^arden  in  summer,  and  a 
i^anu'  at  clii'ss,  oi-  sliuttlt'coek,  in  winter.  Tlieir  dress  was 
to  tlie  rnll  as  sim)»le  and  uniform  as  everything  else  ;  tlu'v 
woi'c  wrappers  of  the  tinest  ehini/.,  and  !.;'reen  silk  petticoats  ; 
and  tliis  the  wlioU'  year  round  without  variation.  Their 
liair,  which  was  Ions;-  and  Ix-autiful,  was  tied  hehiiid  with  a 
sim]»le  i-il»l)on  ;  a  laru'e  calash  sliatled  each  from  the  sun, 
and  in  winter  they  had  loni;  scarlet  mantles  that  covere(l 
them  from  he:id  to  foot.  Their  father  did  not  live  with 
them,  but  visited  thon  every  (hiy  in  theii-  apaitmi'ut.  T!.is 
innocent  an<l  uniform  life  they  le<l,  till  tlie  death  of  tlu'ir 
nionitress  ;  Mliich  hap]tened  when  the  eldest  was  not  <piite 
seventeen.  On  sonu'  future  occasion  1  shall  satisfy  the 
curiosity  wliicli  this  short  but  faithful  account  of  these  ami- 
able  recluses  lias  possibly  excited.' 


(TIAI'TKIIXL. 

(iKN'Kirvi.  AuKKcuoMiiii'; —  Dkaih  of  Loud  Howk. 

X  MrST  now  return  to    Albany,  and   to  the   ])rojected  e.\- 
j)edition. 

(ieneral  Abercroml)ie,  who  commanded  on  tlie  nortlieni 
lakes  was  a  brave  and  able  man,  though  rather  too  much 
attached  to  the  military  schools  of  those  days,  to  accommo- 
date himself  to  the  desultory  and  uncertain  warfare  of  the 
woods,  where  sagacity,  ready  presence  of  mind,  joined  with 
tl»e  utmost  caution,  and  condescension  of  opiuioii  to  our 
Indian  allies,  was  of  intiuitely  more  conseipu'iice  than  rules 


'Tlicso  liuHcs  iiiarriivl  oHircrs,  who  in  succession  lived  as  Kid-dc- 
canips  with  their  father.  Tiicir  iimnncrs  soon  frnsw  easy  ;  they  readily 
acquired  the  habits  of  society,  and  made  excellent  wivc».  —  Mn:  Grant. 


000 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


and  tactics,  Avliicli  were  incro  shackles  and  incinnbranees 
in  tiiis  contention,  Avitli  difticullics  and  jtcrplcxitics  more 
liai"assi;ii^  than  meiv  danger.  Indeed  when  an  anihuscade 
or  sn<lden  onset  was  followed  by  defeat,  here  (as  in  IJrad- 
dock'scase)  the  result  reminded  one  of  the  rout  of  vVbsa'om's 
army  ;  whei'e,  we  are  told,  the  wood  devoured  more  than 
the  sword.  The  general  was  a  frecpient  <;nest  with  Machime, 
when  the  nature  of  Ids  cc^mmand  would  ])ermit  him  to  re- 
lax fi'om  the  duties  that  occu]>ie<l  him.  He  had  his  men 
encam])ed  below  .Mbany,  in  that  tjreat  fii'ld  whic-h  T  have 
formei'ly  di'seribed,  as  the  coiumon  ]»asture  for  the  town. 
Afany  of  the  otHcers  wei'e  (juai'tere«l  in  the  fort  and  town  ; 
but  Lord  Howe  alwavs  lav  in  his  tent,  with  the  ret^iment 
which  he  commanded  ;  and  which  he  modelled  in  such  a 
manner,  that  they  were  ever  after  considered  as  an  example 
to  the  whole  American  army  ;  who  ^lorii'd  in  adopting  all 
those  rigid,  yet  salutary  regulations,  to  which  this  young 
hero  ri'adily  submitted,  to  eid'orce  his  commands  by  his 
(!xam))le. 

Above  the  ])edantry  of  holding  up  standards  of  military 
rules,  where  it  was  impossible  to  practice  them,  and  the 
narrow  spirit  of  ])referring  the  modes  of  his  own  country  to 
those  j)roved  by  ex])erience  to  suit  that  in  which  he  was  to 
act.  Lord  Howe  lai<l  aside  all  ])ride  and  prejudice,  and 
gratefully  accepted  counsel  from  those  whom  he  knew  to 
be  best  (jualitied  to  direct  them.  ."Madame  was  delighted 
witli  the  caini  steadiness  with  which  he  carried  throuixh  the 
austere  rules  which  he  found  it  necessary  to  lay  down.  In 
the  tii'st  place  he  forbade  all  displays  of  g(dd  atid  scarlet, 
in  the  rugged  march  they  were  about  to  undertake,  and  set 
the  example  by  weai'ing  himself  an  annmniition  coat,  that 
is  to  say,  one  of  the  surplus  soldier's  coats  cut  short,  "his 
was  a  neci'ssary  precaution  ;  because  in  the  woods,  the 
hostile  Indians,  who  started  from  behind  the  trees,  usually 
caught  at  the  long  and  heavy  skirts  then  worn  by   the  sol- 


•)■ 


'I 


X 


.r*. 


Mf'i'ii^iV '"WirawiBiatRiiB 


-1 


tr^y 


\ 


I 
1 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


223 


diers  ;  and  for  tlie  same  reason  lie  ordered  the  muskets  to 
be  shortened,  that  they  miglit  not,  as  on  former  occasions, 
be  snatclied  from  belwnd  bv  these  aurile  foes.     To  prevent 
the  march  of  his  regiment  from  i>eing  (U'scried  at  a  distance, 
by  the   glittering  of  their   arms,  the  barrels  of   their   guns 
were  all  blackened  ;  and  to  save  them  from  the   ti'aring  of 
bushes,  the  stings  of  insects,  etc.,  he  set  tliem  the  example 
of  v.earinc:  leguans,  a  kind  of  buskin  made  of  strong  wooU'U 
cloth,  formerly  described  as  a  i)art  of  the  Indian  di'ess.     The 
greatest  privation   to    the  young  and   vain    yet    remained. 
Hair  well  dressed,  and  in  great  quantity,  was  then  consi<lered 
as  the  greatest  possible   ornament,  which   those   who  had  it 
took  the  utmost  care  to  ..isplay  to   advantage,  and  to  wear 
in  a  bag  or  a  (jueue,  which  evei*  they  fancied.      Lord  Howe's 
was  Hue,  and  very  abundant  ;  he,  howevt'r,  croi>pcd  it.  and 
ordered  evei-y  one  else  to  do  the  same.     Every  morning  he 
rose  very  eai'ly,  and  after  giving  his  orders,  rode  out  to  the 
Flats,  breakfasted,  and  spent  some  time  in  conversing  with 
his  friends  there  ;  and  whea  in  Albany,  received  all  nuuuier 
of  useful  information  from  the  worthy  magistrate  Cornelius 
Cuyler.     Anothc!  <  )int  Avhich  this  young  Lycurgus  of  the 
camp  wished  to  establish,  was  that  (d"  not  carrying  anything 
that  was  not  absolutely  necessary.     An  apparatus  of  tables, 
chairs,  and  such  other  luggage  he   thought  highly  absurd, 
where  people  had  to  force  their  way  with  unspeakable  ditii- 
culty,  to  encounter  an  enemy   free   from   all  such  incum- 
brances.    The  French  had  long  learnt  liow  little  convenience 
could  be  studied  on  such  occasions  as  the  present. 

When  his  lordship  got  nnitters  arranged  to  his  satisfac- 
tion, he  invited  his  otttcers  to  dine  with  him  in  his  tent. 
They  gladly  assembled  at  the  hour  appointed  but  were 
surprised  to  see  no  chairs  or  tables  ;  there  were,  however, 
bear-skins,  sjiread  like  a  cari)et.  His  lordshij)  wlconu'd 
them,  and  sat  down  on  a  small  log  of  wood  ;  they  followed 
his  example  ;  and  presently  the  servants  set  down  a  large 


1^ 


I 


."•" 


224 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


1 1 


r  ,! 


dish  of  pork  and  poaso.  His  lordsliip,  taking  a  slicatli  from 
Ills  pockt't,  out  of  wliii'li  he  prodiu'('(l  a  knife  and  fork, 
began  to  cut  and  divide  tlie  meat.  They  sat  in  a  i<ind  of 
awkward  .-nspense,  wliieh  he  interrupted,  hy  asking  if  it 
were  possible  that  soldiers  like  them,  who  li.ad  hei'ii  so  long 
destined  for  siieli  ;i  serviee,  should  not  he  pro\  ided  with 
p<>rtahle  implements  of  tliis  kind  ;  Mid  tinally  relieved  tliem 
fi.jm  tlieir  emharrassment,  hv  distril>iMing 


I'ach    a  ease 


the  s!iin<'  as  his  own,  wliicli  he  had  provided  for  that  i)ur- 
]M)se.  The  austere  regulations,  and  constant  self-denial 
which  he  imposed  upon  the  troops  he  commanded,  were 
patiently  home,  because  he  was  not  only  gentle  in  his  man- 
ners, but  <renerous  and  humane  in  .a  verv  high  deu'ree,  and 
cxeoedingly  .attentive  to  the  health  .and  re.al  necessities  of 
the  soldiery.  ^Vmong  nijiny  instances  of  this,  ji  (juantity  of 
powdei'ed  ginger  was  given  to  every  man  ;  and  the  sergeants 
were  ordered  to  see,  that  when,  in  the  course  of  marching, 
the  soldiers  arrived  hot  ;iiid  tired  at  Hie  banks  of  any 
stream,  they  should  not  be  permitted  to  stoop  to  drink,  as 
they  generally  inclined  to  do,  but  obliged  to  lift  water  in 
their  canteens,  and  mix  ginger  with  it.  This  became  .after- 
wards a  gener.al  practice  ;  and  in  those  ag"ish  sw.am))s, 
through  which  the  troops  were  forced  to  .larch,  was  the 
means  of  saving  many  lives.  Aunt  Schuyler,  as  this  ami- 
able young  officer  f.amiliarly  styled  his  maternal  friend,  liad 
the  utmost  esteem  for  him  ;  and  tlu'  greatest  ho]){>  that  he 
would  .at  some  future  period  ri'dress  all  those  evils  that  had 
formerly  impeded  tiie  service  ,  .uid  per]iiii>s  pl.ant  the  IJri 
tish  standard  on  the  walls  of  (Quebec.  I  bit  this  honor 
another  young  liero  was  destined  to  achieve  ;  whose  virtues 
were  to  be  illustrated  by  the  s])len(h>r  of  victory,  tlie  only 
light  by  which  the  multitude  can  seethe  merits  of  .a  soldier. 
The  Scliuvlei's  i-eiiarded  this  e.viteditioii  witli  .a mixture  of 
doubt  and  misery,  knowing  too  well,  from  trie  s.ad  retro- 
spect   of   fornier   failures,  how  little  valor   and  discipline 


Mkmoiiis  of  an  American  Lady. 


/•oni 
fork, 
||<1  of 
it 

•ase 

lial 

(,'re 
an- 
iii'l 

of 


r<u 


./- 


'?^Ki 


aviiilcMl  where  regular  troops  had  to  encounter  with  unseen 
foes,  and  with  dirticiUties  arising  from  the  natui'e  of  tho 
ground,  for  which  military  science  affoi'ded  no  renie<ly.  Of 
General  Ahercrondfie's  worth  and  valor  they  ha<l  the  high- 
est o])inion  ;  l)ut  they  had  no  opinion  of  attacking  an  enemy 
so  subtle  and  experienced  on  their  own  groun<l,  in  entivnch- 
nients,  and  this  they  feared  he  would  have  the  temerity  to 
attempt.  In  the  nieantinu'  ]»reparations  were  ni;iking  for 
the  attempt.  The  troops  wei'e  marchecl  in  detachments 
l)ast  the  Flats,  and  each  detachnu'iit  (piartered  for  a  night 
on  tlie  common,  or  in  the  othces.  One  of  the  tirst  of  these 
was  commande(l  by  Lee,  of  frantic  celebrity,  who  after- 
wards, ill  the  American  v»'ar,  joined  the  opponents  of  go- 
vernment, and  was  then  a  captain  in  the  British  service. 
Cajttain  Lev  had  neglected  to  bring  the  customary  warrants 
for  impressing  hoi'ses  and  oxt'u,  and  i)rocuring  a  supply  of 
various  necessaries,  to  be  }>aid  for  by  the  agents  of  govern- 
ment on  showing  the  usual  documents  ;  he,  however,  seized 
everything  he  wanted  where  he  could  most  readily  find  it, 
as  if  he  ■were  in  a  concjuered  country  ;  and  not  content 
with  his  violence,  poured  forth  :i  volly  of  execrations  on 
those  who  })resumed  to  (piestion  his  right  of  approj)riating 
for  his  trooi)s  everything  that  could  be  serviceable  to  them  : 
even  Madame,  accustome(l  to  univei'sal  respect,  and  to  be 
considered  as  the  fi'iend  and  benefactress  of  the  army,  was 
not  sjtared  ;  and  the  aids  which  she  never  failed  to  bestow 
on  those  whom  she  saw  about  to  expose  their  lives  for  the 
general  defence,  were  rudely  demanded,  or  violently  seized. 
Never  did  the  genuine  Christianity  of  this  exalted  character 
shine  moi'c  brightly  than  in  this  exigency  ;  her  countenance 
never  altered,  and  she  used  every  argument  to  restrain  the 
rage  of  her  domestics,  and  the  (danior  of  her  neighbors, 
who  wei'c  treated  in  the  same  mannci-.  Lee  marched  on, 
after  having  done  all  the  mischief  in  his  ])ower,  and  was 
the  next  day  succeeded  bv  Lord  Howe,  who  was  indiuiiant 

29 


If 


226 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


on  lit'iiriiig  what  had  liappeiu'd,  and  iistuiiishc'»l  at  the  calm- 
iioss  with  whk'h  .Ma(hiiiu'  bore  the  trcatiiu'iit  she  liad 
received.  She  soothed  him  by  telliiit;  liiiii,  that  she  knew 
too  well  the  value  of  protection  from  a  <hinger  so  imminent, 
to  grow  captious  with  her  deliverers  on  account  of  a  single 
instance  of  irregularity,  and  only  regretted  that  they  should 
liave  deprived  iier  of  her  wonted  pleasuri',  in  freely  bestow- 
ing whatever  could  advance  the  service,  or  refresh  the 
exhausted  troops.  They  had  a  long  and  very  serious  con- 
versation that  night.  In  the  niorniiighis  lordshijt  projiosed 
setting  out  very  early  ;  but  when  he  rose  was  astonished  to 
find  Madame  waitijig,  and  breakfast  ready  ;  he  smiled  and 
said  he  would  not  disappoint  her,  as  it  was  hard  to  say 
when  he  might  again  breakfast  with  ii  lady.  Impressed 
with  an  unaccountable  degree  of  concern  about  the  fate  of 
the  enter})rise  in  wh.ich  he  was  embarked,  she  again  repeated 
her  counsels  and  her  cautions  ;  and  win  n  he  was  about  to 
depart,  embraced  him  with  the  affection  of  a  mother,  and 
shed  many  tears,  a  weakness  which  she  did  not  often  give 
way  to. 

jNfeantime,  the  best  j)repared  and  disciplined  body  of 
forces  that  had  ever  been  assembled  in  Anu'rica,  were  \n'o- 
ceeding  on  an  enter])rise,  that,  to  tlie  experience  and  sagacity 
of  the  Schuylers,  appeared  a  ho})eless,  or,  at  least,  a  very 
des])erate  one.  A  general  gloom  overspread  the  family  ; 
this,  at  all  times  large,  was  now  augmented  by  several  of 
tlie  relations  both  of  the  colonel  and  Madame,  who  had 
visited  them  at  that  t'unv,  to  be  nearer  the  scene  of  action, 
and  get  the  reatliest  and  most  authentic  intelligence  ;  for 
the  apprehended  consetpience  of  a  defeat  was,  the  pouring 
in  of  the  French  troops  into  the  interior  of  the  province  ; 
in  which  case  Albany  might  be  abandoned  to  the  enraged 
savages  attending  the  French  army. 

In  the  afternoon  a  man  was  seen  coming  on  horseback 
from  the  uortli,  galloping  violently,  without  his  hat.     Pe- 


^, 


le  cnliu- 

siie    liad 

ic  knew 

inniiic'iit, 

a  single 

y  should 

hc'slow- 

■c'sli  the 

lous  c'on- 

pi'ojiosed 

nishc'd  to 

liled  and 

(I  to  say 

niprt'ssed 

Hi  fato  of 

repeated 

about  to 

ther,   and 

)l"ten  give 

body  of 
were  i)ro- 
l  sagacity 
st,  a  very 
.'  family  ; 
several  of 

who  had 
of  action, 
cnco  ;  for 
L'  pouring 
province  ; 
L'  enraged 

lorseback 
hat.     Pe- 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady, 


227 


^^. 


drom,  as  he  was  familiarly  called, the  coloners  only  surviving 
brother,  was  with  her,  and  ran  instantly  to  iiKpiire,  well 
knowing  he  rodi'  expri'ss.  The  man  galloped  on,  crying  out 
that  Lord  Ilow"  was  killed.  'I'he  mind  of  our  <rood  aunt 
had  been  so  engrossed  by  her  anxiety  and  fears  for  the  event 
impending,  and  so  impressed  by  the  merit  and  magnanimity 
of  lu'r  favorite  hero,  that  her  wonte(l  firmness  sunk  under 
this  stroke,  and  she  broke  out  into  bittv'V  lamentations. 
This  had  such  an  effect  on  her  friends  and  domestics,  that 
shi'ieks  and  sobs  of  anguish  echoed  throut>h  everv  l»art  of 
the  house.  Kven  those  who  Mere  too  young  or  too  old  to 
enter  into  the  public  calamity,  were  affected  l)y  the  violent 
grief  of  aunt,  who,  in  general,  lia*l  much  self-eomman(l 

to  let  others  witness  her  sorro"..  Lord  Howe  was  slot 
from  behiixl  a  tree,  ))robably  by  some  liulian  :  and  :he 
whole  army  wei"e  inconsolable  for  a  loss  they  too  well  knew 
to  be  ii'rei)arable.  This  stroke,  however,  they  soon  found 
to  be  "portent  and  ))ain,  a  menace  and  a  blow  ;"  but  this 
dark  jtrospeet  was  cheered  for  a  moment  by  a  deceitful 
gleam  of  hope,  which  only  added  to  the  bitterness  of  dis- 
appointment. 


ciiaptp:k  xll 

Defeat  at  TicoNDEiiO(iA  —  Gexeijal  Lee  —  Humanity  of 

Mada:me. 

_L  IIF]  next  day  they  heard  tlie  particulars  of  tlic  skirmish, 
for  it  could  scarce  be  called  a  regular  engagement,  which 
had  proved  fata'  to  the  young  warrior,  whose  loss  Avas  so 
deeply  felt.  Th'  army  had  crossed  Lake  George,  in  safety, 
on  tlie  oth  of  July,  and  landed  without  opposition.  They 
proceeded  in  four  columns  to  Ticonderoga,  and  displayed  a 
spectacle  unprecedented  in  the  New  World.     An  army  of 


3    ' 

i  I 

i.  ( I 


t 


i 


Wml^~' 


2-2S 


Mkmuius  of  an  Amhrican  Lady. 


sixteen  iIkhisjiikI  men,  rei^ulars  and  provincials,  w  itli  a  train 
of  artillery,  and  all  the  necessary  |»ro\isions  I'di-  an  acti\(' 
cain|iaiifn  or  I'ci^nlar  sie<;e,  t'olloweil  hy  a  little  fleet  of 
bateanx,  pontoons,  etc.  'I'liey  set  out  \vr(»nu',  liowi-ver,  l»y 
not  liaviny"  Indian  guides,  who  an- alone  to  he  depcndi'd  on 
in  such  a  place.  In  a  short  time  the  eolunnis  l"cll  in  upon 
eacli  other,  and  occasioneij  much  coufusion.  \\'liile  they 
niareheil  on  in  this  lte\vildere(|  manner,  the  advanced  trnard 
of  the  Froncn  which  ha<l  rt'(ire(l  hcfore  (hem,  were  ('([nally 
bewildered,  and  iallinn'  in  with  them  in  this  confusion,  a 
skirmish  ensued,  in  which  the  French  lost  above  three  hun- 
dred men,  and  we,  though  successful,  lost  as  much  as  it  was 
})ossible  to  lose,  in  one  ;  for  here  it  was  that  Lord  IFowe  fell. 
The  fort  is  in  a  situation  of  ])i'cidiar  natin-al  strenujlh  ;  it 
lies  on  a  littk-  peninsida,  with  Lake  (Jeorye  on  one  si(U', 
an<l  a  narrow  ojteninLi:,  eoninumicatinji;  with  Laki'  C'hamplain, 
on  the  other.  It  is  surrounded  by  water  on  three  sides  ; 
and  in  front  there  is  a  swamp,  very  easily  defended  ;  ami 
where  it  ceasecl  the  French  ha<l  made  a  bii'ast-work  above 
eight  feet  high  ;  not  content  with  this,  they  had  felled  im- 
mense trees  on  the  spot,  and  laid  them  heajK-d  on  each  other, 
with  their  branclu's  oufwai"d,  before  their  works.  In  line, 
there  was  no  place  on  earth  where  aggression  was  so  diflicidt, 
and  defence  so  easy,  as  in  these  woods  ;  especially  when, 
as  in  this  case,  the  ])arty  to  be  attacked  had  great  leisure 
to  ))repare  their  defence.  On  this  impenetrable  front  they 
had  also  a  line  of  cannon  mounted  ;  while  the  difficulty  of 
bringing  artillery  through  this  swampy  gi-ound,  near  enough 
to  bear  n[»on  the  place,  was  unspeakable.  This  garrison, 
almost  impregnable  from  situation,  was  defended  by  between 
four  and  live  tlionsand  men.  An  engineer,  sent  to  recon- 
noitre, was  of  opinion  that  it  might  be  attacked  without 
waiting  for  the  artillery.  The  fatal  resolution  was  taken 
without  consulting  those  who  wore  best  qualified  to  judge. 
An  Indian  or  nati^•e  American  were  here  better  skilled  in  the 


•» 


I 


Ml'lMOIUS    OF    AN    A.MKKICAN    LaDY, 


229 


li  :>  t  l-.-lill 

III  net  ivc 

Hcct    ol" 

(■\('i-,  l»y 

inli'il  on 

ill    ii|)i)ii 

lilc  tlicy 

■d  s^u.'ird 

('(|ii:illy 

fusion,  ii 

rt'c  liiin- 

iis  it  \v;is 

owe  I'c'll. 

iH-tli  ;   it 

Hit'  side, 

aniplaiii, 

c  sidi'S  ; 

<1  ;  and 

k  al)()vc 

led   iin- 

li  otlior, 

In  line, 

lirtii-ult, 

y  when, 

leisure 

)nt  they 

eulty  of 

enougli 

irrison, 

let  ween 

reeon- 

witliout 

s  taken 

judge. 

d  ill  the 


! 


nature  of  tlie  grouiKl,  and  )irolial>ilit  ies  of  success.  Tliey 
knew  better,  in  sliort,  what  the  spath-,  hatchet,  or  musket 
coidd  or  coiilil  not  do,  in  such  situations,  tlian  the  most 
skillful  Ncteraii  from  Murope,  however  re|)lete  with  military 
science.  Iiideeil,  when  system  usur|is  the  |iro\ince  of  |ilaiii 
sound  sense  in  unknown  e\in-eiicies,  tlie  result  is  seldom 
favo'-al)le;  and  this  truth  was  never  more  fatally  ileiiion- 
st  rated  than  in  I  lie  course  of  the  .Vinericaii  war,  where  an 
ohstinate  adherence  to  ren'ular  tactics,  which  do  not  Iteiid 
to  time  or  place,  occasioned,  from  first  to  last,  an  incalculahle 
waste  of  hlood,  of  treasure,  and  of  ]iersonal  courage.  The 
resolution  tlieii  was  to  attack  the  enemy  without  loss  of 
timi',  and  i-veii  without  waiting  for  artillery.  Alas  I  "  What 
have  not  lliitons  dariMl  ?  " 

I  cannot  enter  into  the  dreadful  <lelail  of  what  followed  ; 
certainly  never  was  infatuation  ei|ual  to  this.  IMie  I'orty- 
secop.d  regiment  was  then  in  the  height  of  deserved  re|)iita- 
tion  ;  in  which  there  was  not  a  |)ri\ate  man  that  diil  not 
consider  hiins(df  as  rather  ahovi'  llu'  lower  (dass  of  people, 
and  peculiarly  hound  to  support  tlu'  honor  of  the  very  sin- 
gular corps  to  which  he  helonged.  'IMiis  hra\e  har<l-fated 
ivgiment  was  then  coinmandi'd  by  a  veteran  of  great  e.\[ie- 
rience  and  military  skill,  C'olonel  (iordon  (irahani,'  who  ha<l 
the  fii'st  ])oint  of  attack  assigned  to  him  :  he  was  ANounded 
at  the  first  onset.  Ifow  many  this  regiment,  in  particular, 
lost  of  men  and  officers,  I  cannot  now  exactly  say  ;  hut  these 
were  very  many.     What  1  distinctly  reniomher,  having  often 


'  Gordon  (Irahain,  of  Drani(!,  entered  the  Blnck  Watcli  as  ensifrn 
2*1  Oct.,  ITli!) ;  waH  ])ri)ni(>ted  to  lienti-naiit  :24  Jane,  17to;  served  in 
Flanders  and  Fontenoy,  1745;  obtained  a  company,  1747 ;  was  at  tlie 
surrender  of  Fort  William  Henry,  l'^r)7,  and  wounded  at  Ticondero^fa 
8  July,  1758.  On  the  death  of  Maj.  Duncan  Campbell,  he  succeeded 
to  hiscommission  and  made  the  campai<rn  of  1750,  'GO  under  Amherst ; 
served  in  tint  West  Indi 's  in  17C2,  when  lie  becanw^  lient.  colonel  of 
liis  re<riment.  He  retired  from  the  service  13  Dec,  1770  {Col.  Doc,  X, 
728).—  M. 


■:  ■  Or 


,3  •  .     ti- 


1 

1 

1  i 

E 

i 

[ 

i.-_ 

f/ 

w 

11 

I       ! 


i.';!() 


Mi;m(»ii{s  (»f  an  Amhkican  Lai>y, 


lic;ir<l  ul"  it  since,  is,  lliat,  of  (lie  smvi\i»is,  csfi y  <'ii('  nniccr 
n-lircd  woiimlftl  nlT  ilic  licM.  Of  the  lilt  v-Hrdi  rcj^niiiciit, 
fo  wliicli  my  lather  li;i(l  newly  lieeii  :it  t:ielie<l,  ten  otlieerH 
Were  killeil,  ineliidinu: .'ill  tlie  lieM  tillieers.  N(i  linniitn  liein;j;s 
(••Mill!  slmw  nunc  ileteiinineij  cdunin'e  tinin  tills  brave  army 
(iitl.  Slantlini;  I'onr  hours  under  a  ennstanl  disehari^e 
(»r  cannon  and  nuisketry  from  hari'icades,  on  which  it  was 
impossihie  for  them  to  make  the  least  im|>ression,  (ieneral 
Ahercromliie  saw  the  I'rnitless  waste  of  Mood  that  was  every 
hour  increasing,  and  ordeied  a  retreat,  which  was  very  |»re- 
(•i|»itate,  so  nnich  so,  that  they  crossed  the  lake  and  ri'<j;ained 
their  cam|»  on  the  other  side  the  same  nii;hl.  Two  thousand 
men  wei'c  killed,  wounded,  or  taken  on  this  disastrous  day. 
On  the  next,  those  most  danj^i-rously  woumU'cl  weri'  sent 
forward  in  lioats,  and  rt'aclied  the  l'"lats  Itel'oi'e  excniu}^  ; 
they  in  a  mamicr  l»rout;Iit  (at  least  coiiJiruuMJ)  the  news  of 
the  defeat.  Madame  had  her  harn  instant Iv  lilted  up  into 
ji  temporary  hospital,  and  a  room  in  her  house  allotlecl  for 
the  sur_^;eou  who  attendi'd  the  j»atients  ;  amonij  thi'se  was 
Lee,  the  sanu'  insolent  and  rapacious  Lee,  who  had  insidte<l 
this  general  henefaetivss,  and  deprived  her  of  one  of  lier 
jj^reatest  pleasures,  that  of  giving  n  shuro  of  everythini^  she 
had  to  advance  tlii'  service.  She  treated  lilm  with  eom])as- 
sion,  without  advertinj:^,  l)y  the  least  hint,  to  the  past  She 
tore  up  hei'  sheets  and  tal>le  linen  for  bandages,  and  she  an<l 
her  nieces  were  constaiitlv  eniployed  in  attending  and  cheer- 
ing  the  wounded,  while  all  lier  domestics  were  busied  in 
]u-eparing  food  and  everything  necessary  for  those  unhapj)y 
sufferers.  Kven  Lee  felt  and  acknowledged  the  resistless 
force  of  such  genei'ous  luiinanity.  He  swore,  in  his  vehement 
manner,  that  lii'  was  sure  there  w<ndd  be  a  ))lace  reserved  for 
^[a<hime  in  heavt'n,  thougli  no  otlu'r  woman  should  be  there, 
and  that  he  should  wish  for  nothing  better  than  to  share 
her  final  destiny.  The  active  industrious  beneficence  she 
exercised  at  this  time,  not  only  towards  the  wounded,  but 


la  "   « 


^ 


Mkmoiiis  ok  an  Amimucan  Lahy. 


2lM 


tlu'  wi'cIcIkmI  w'hliiws  :iii<l  ((rpli.ins  who  liad  iciiiiiiiKMl  here, 
and  liiid  lust  tlifir  :ill  in  tlicii'  liiisltMiids  .-iinl  piircnts,  w.is 
beyond  pmlsc.  ("oiild  I  clearly  rt'cullcci  and  arranLjc  tin- 
ancctjutcs  ol"  tills  pci'md,  as  I  have  oflm  lifanl  lluin,  llicy 
would  i»r  tlii'Mist'lvt's  till  a  noIiiiiic  ;  siitlicc  it,  that  micIi  was 
the  vi'iicration  in  which  she  was  held  in  the  aiiny  artcr  this 
iM'ricd,  that  I  recollect,  anioiii^st  the  earliest  impressions 
received  in  my  mind,  that  of  a  proi'ound  rcNcrence  for 
^Madame  as  these  |»eo|»le  wi-re  wont  to  call  her.  Ueiore  I 
ever  saw  her,  I  used  to  think  of  her  as  a  most  ani^ust  |icr- 
Kona^e,  of  a  maj«'stic  pn-seiice,  sitti?i<4  on  an  eh'\ated  seat, 
and  scattering  bounty  to  wounded  soldiers,  and  poor  women 
and  children. 


!    ! 


CX  ■ 


(JIAITKIJ   \\A\. 
TiiK   Family  OK   Mahamk's  Sisiki; — Tin:    Dka'ii!  oi"  tiik 

I.AITIClt. 

x\-rXT  found  consobition  for  all  her  sorrows  in  the  family 
of  her  favorite  sister.  The  promise  of  uncommon  merit, 
whicli  appeared  in  the  risinj^  hrauclies  of  that  sinnularly 
fine  family,  was  to  her  a  pecidiar  <;;rat iiication  ;  for  no 
mother  couhl  love  her  own  chililren  more  tenderly  than  she 
did  them.  The  two  dauLjhters,  which  were  amon<:;st  the 
eldest,  j^assed,  by  turns,  iniu-li  of  their  time  with  lier,  and 
were,  from  tlieir  beauty  and  their  manners,  tlu  ornaments 
of  lier  society  ;  wbile  their  ujood  sense,  ripeneil  by  beiii<; 
called  early  into  action,  made  these  amiable  and  clet;ant 
young  women  uu>i'e  a  comfort  and  assistaiu'c  than  a  cai'e  oi* 
charge  to  their  aunt,  at  a  very  eai'ly  period.  They  had 
fou"  f)n)thers  ;  three  of  whom  are  still  living,  and  have, 
through  life,  done  honor  by  their  virtues,  their  manners, 
and  their  conduct,  in   the   most  tiying  exigencies,  to  the 


J  ■... 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


fill! 


memory  and  oxam])lo  of  tlioir  excelk'iit  parents,  as  well  as 
to  that  eollatei'al  school  of  jmre  morality,  and  sound  and 
genuine  jtolicy,  of  which  they  shared  the  heiietit. 

The  history  of  this  family,  in  the  after  vicissitudes  in 
which  tlie  ])olitical  changes  in  their  country  involved  them, 
would  furnish  a  very  interesting  detail,  were  it  allowable 
to  offend  the  delicacy  of  modest  worth,  or  eligible  to  ex})Ose 
the  depravity  and  fury  of  enraged  fac  tions.  Of  the  brothers 
I  shall  only  mention,  that  the  third,  in  his  childhood,  showed 
uncommon  fire  and  vivacity  ;  not  seeming  to  retain  the 
smallest  pnrtion  of  that  hereditary  jthlegm  which  could  still 
be  easily  traced  through  many  of  the  settlers  of  this  peculiar 
colony.  lie  could  ;  ■•arce  be  called  an  unlucky  boy,  for  lio 
never  did  harm  designedly  ;  yet  he  was  so  volatile,  eccentric 
and  original  in  the  frolicsome  excursions  of  his  fancy,  that 
many  ludicrous  and  some  serious  consequences  resulted 
from  them,  lie  showed,  hov/ever,  amidst  all  these  gayeties, 
fro'.u  a  very  early  age,  a  steady  and  determined  predilec-tiou 
towards  a  military  life,  which  in  due  tinu^  was  indulged, 
and  has  been  since  the  means  of  leading  him  on  to  rank 
and  distinction  in  the  British  service.'  Of  the  eldest  brother 
I  shall  iiave  occasion  to  spv-ak  hereafte)' ;  the  second  and 
youngest  wei'e  /,eah)us  p;irti/aris  of  governnu'ut  at  the  time 
of  the  revoluti(jn.  Their  loyalty  occasioned  the  loss  of 
their  fortunes  and  their  homes  ;  l)ut  their  worth  and  bravery 
procurt'd  them  contidenci'  and  im[)ortant  commands  in  that 
paiid'ul  sei'vice  which  was  carried  on  during  the  .Vmerican 
wai',  at  the  end  of  which  they  were  partially  rewarded  by 
grants  of  land  in  Vipper  Canada.  Loyalty  and  coui'age 
seem  hereditary  in  this  family,  ^fany  sons  of  those  ex- 
patriated brothers  are  nov>'  serving  their  country  in  different 


'  Til  '  riii)tur(*  of"  Tolmiro  was  acliicvcd  by  (icncral  ('uylcr,  who  liad 
for  near  forty  yt'ars  been  cngajrid  in  tlie  ..'osf  active  and  hazardous 
dei)artnient8  of  the  service. —  Mrs.  (Jrant. 


P» 


'u 


k-^ 


'T    M 


nk 

icr 

and 

ime 

oi' 

<-'!•}' 
hat 
i-an 
by 
age 

VI  it 

hmd 
lous 


Memomis  of  an  Amkrican  Lady. 


233 


>* 


parts  of  tlie  oiupirc,  uiKlcteriHMl  by  the  h>ssc's  and  suffcritiufs 
of  tlu'ir  parents  in  tlie  royal  cause.  It  was  a  marked  dis- 
tinetion  of  charax^ter  to  be  observe<l  in  flie  conduct  of  aunt's 
proteges,  tliat  though  she  was  e(|ually  attaclie(l  to  the 
chihbvnof  her  husband's  relations  and  lu-r  own,  thesn  hitter 
only  adopted  her  political  sentiments,  with  a  single  excep- 
tion, which  shall  be  mentioned  in  its  place. 

The  defeat  at  Ticoixleroga  boiH'  very  hard  upon  the 
mind  of  .Madame  ;  public  spirit  was  always  an  active 
principle  in  her  strong  and  icHecting  mind  ;  and  from  the 
particular  circumstances  in  which  she  had  always  been 
invoIve<l,  her  [)atriotism  gained  strength  by  exercise.  The 
same  ai'deiit  concern  for  the  |>ublic  good,  which  could  }>ro- 
duce  no  otlu-r  effect  but  fruitU'ss  anxiety,  would  be  as  un- 
availing as  unnecessary,  in  our  secure  antl  trantpiil  state  ; 
but  with  lu'r  it  was  an  exercisi'(l  and  useful  virtue.  Her 
.'ittaehment  to  the  IJritish  nation,  which  was  to  the  very 
last  a  ruling  })riuciple  both  of  her  actions  and  opinions, 
contributed  to  embitter  this  blow  to  her  and  her  family. 
The  taking  of  Frontenac  on  the  western  lakes,  and  the  re- 
establishnuMit  of  our  ])ower  in  that  important  (piartei-,  were 
achieved  by  (ienei'al  ]>i'a<lstreet,  whom  .Vbercrombie  dis- 
patcluMl  at  tlu'  head  of  three  thousand  provincials.  This 
was  a  cordial  much  wanted  by  all,  and  more  particularly 
sjratifving  to  the  fainilv  at  the  Flats,  as  the  colonel's  nei>hew, 
Philip  Schuyl(>r,  though  his  was  not  exactly  a  warlike  de- 
])artment,  had  evinc^ed  much  spirit,  i)i'udenci',  and  resolution 
(biringthat  expedition  ;  in  which,  without  publicly  arrogat- 
ing command,  he,  under  Uradstreet  (who  was  indeed  a 
very  able  man),  directed  most  of  the  operations.  In  tlie 
mind  i)f  this  extraordinary  )>ei-son,  (pialities,  suitecl  t(»  all 
occasions,  lay  dormant  and  unsuspected,  till  called  forth 
by  the  varying  events  of  his  busy  though  not  bustling  life  ; 
for  he  seemed  to  carry  on  the  plans,  jiublic  and  private, 
which   he  executed   with   superior  ability  and  sm-cess,  by 

;^o 


'"W^  M 


234 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


iiuTO  volition.  No  one  ever  s:iw  liirn  appear  luirried,  em- 
barrassed, or  agitated.  The  sueeess  of  tliis  expedition,  and 
the  rising  distinction  of  her  nephew  I'liilip,  was  some  con- 
sohition  to  Madame  for  tlie  hite  disaster.  Still  friendly  an<l 
liospitalde,  she  was  as  kindly  disposed  towards  the  IJritish 
as  ever,  and  as  indefatigal>le  in  promoting  a  good  under- 
standing lietween  them  and  the  natives  ;  but  the  army  was 
now  on  a  larger  s(uile.  It  was  in  a  maimer  regularly  orgari- 
ized,  and  niori'  independent  of  such  aid  as  individuals  could 
bestow  ;  and  the  many  childn-n  educated  by  her,  oi-  left 
orphans  to  her  care,  became  from  their  nund)er,  tlu'ir  n>ar- 
riages,  and  various  pursuits,  objects  of  more  earnest  soli- 
citude. 

At  this  )»eriod  Aunt  Schuyler,  now  everywhere  spoken  (  " 
by  that  affectionate  designation,  met  with  a  severe  atHict  n 
ill  tlie  deatli  of  a  sister,  whom  she  had  alwavs  lovd  widi 
more  than  common  tenderness,  and  whose  family  she  con- 
sidered in  a  manner  as  her  own.  This  was  Mrs.  C'nvlcr, 
the  wife  of  that  able  and  upright  magistrate,  Coi-nelius 
Cnyler,  of  whose  family  I  have  just  been  giving  some  ac- 
count. jV[rs.  Cuyler,  with  a  character  more  gentle  and 
retiring,  possessed  the  good  sense  and  benevoleiuie  for 
which  aunt  was  distinguished,  though  her  sphere  of  ai^tion 
l>eing  entirely  within  the  limits  of  her  own  family,  she 
could  not  be  so  well  known,  or  so  much  celebrated.  The 
colonel  had  always  had  a  great  attachnu'iit  to  this  valuable 
person  ;  which  still  more  endeared  her  to  his  widow.  She 
liowever,  always  found  new  duties  resulting  from  her  .afllic- 
tions,  so  that  she  could  not  afford  to  sink  under  them.  She 
now  was  at  i)ainsto  console  her  sister's  husband,  who  really 
seemed  borne  down  by  this  stroke  ;  and  the  exertions  f>he 
made  for  the  good  of  his  singularly  promising  family,  kept 
her  mind  occupied. 


r 


•.«^ 


>  \^ 


K. 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


235 


S  I'' 


i 


CHAPTER  XLIIT. 

FuirriiEK  SirocESs  okthk  Uuitish  Aiims  —  A  IVIissioxauy — 

CoUTf-ANDT  SciIUYLEU. 

X  UK  coiKiuc'st  of  ()s\\H'<j;o,  which  was  tliis  year  (iVaO) 
retiiken  from  the  French  by  (TtciuTiil  liradstrcct,  contributed 
to  revive  the  (b"oo})in<^  s[)irits  of  the  army  ami  tlie  patriots  ; 
and  it  was  ([uickly  succeeded  by  the  dear-bought  coiH|uest 
of  (Juebe(\  Tliougli  Ma<binu'  had  never  seen  (leni-ral 
Wolfe,  she  shared  the  t^eneral  a<lniiration  of  his  heroism, 
and  the  i^eneral  sorrow  for  his  l(»ss,  in  a  very  high  degree. 
She,  too,  was  conscious,  that  the  security  and  tranciuility 
}»urchased  by  the  con<{uest  of  (Quebec,  would,  in  a  manner, 
loosen  the  Ixuids  which  held  the  colonists  attached  to  a 
government  which  they  oidy  endured  while  they  recjuired 
its  protection.  This  led  to  conse(jue11ces  which  she  too 
clearly  foresaw. 

The  mind  of  ^frs.  Schuyler,  which  liad  been  greatly 
agitati'(l  by  the  sad  events  of  Ticonderoga,  now  began,  in 
conse<|uenco  of  the  successes,  to  become  more  composecl, 
and  turn  itself  to  objects  of  utility,  as  formerly.  What  she 
had  done,  and  made  others  do,  foi-  the  orphans  an<]  widows 
that  had  become  such  in  conse(|uence  of  the  attack  on  the 
lines,  could  scarce  be  credite»l.  No  one  would  suj)pose  a 
moderate  fortune  like  her's  could  possibly  be  ecpial  to  it. 
She  had  at  this  time,  too,  much  satisfaction  in  seeing  the 
respective  churches  (in  all  which  she  was  deeply  interested), 
filled  with  persons  who  did  honor  to  their  profession.  A 
young   clergynum    named    Westerlo',   succeeded    Domino 


'  Rev.  Eilardus  Westerlo  was  born  in  (Jroeniiifrtin  in  17;38,  and  re- 
ceived a  tlioroujrh  university  education.  It  was  still  a  custom  with 
tlie  American  churches  to  send  to  Holland  for  ministers  to  supply 
their  pulpits.  Il(?  arrived  in  Aujjust,  17()(),  less  than  a  year  afU'r  Doin. 
Frieliughuysen  left,  and  died  20  Dec,  1790,  aged  53.     He  took  a  con- 


230 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


I  Ml 


Frc'ylingli:viisc'n,artc'r!iii  interval  of  l.li  roc  orf  our  years,  durini^ 
wliieli  theeliarge  was  irregularly  tille<l.  'I'liisyounijinan  had 
learning,  talent,  an<l  urbanity  ;  he  had  all  the  sanctity  ot'life 
and  animated  elo(|nenee  otiiis  predeeessor  without  his  love  of 
power,  his  hustling  turn,  or  his  eagerness  for  ]>o|iularity  ; 
lie  was  ir.deed  a  person  of  very  singular  merit,  hut  studious 
and  secluded,  and  unwilling  to  mix  Avitli  strangers.  To 
jNIadame,  however,  he  was  o]K'n  and  i-onipanionahle,  and 
knew  and  value<l  the  attractions  of  her  con\ crsation.  ]))•. 
Ogilvie  was  the  Knglish  K|tisi'o|»al  utinistei",  wht),  un<ler  the 
nauK'  of  Indian  missionary,  and  with  a  salary  allow  c'<l  him 
as  such,  had  the  charge  of  |ierforming  duty  in  a  church 
erected  for  that  purj»ose  in  town,  to  strangers,  and  such  of 
the  military  as  chost'  to  attend.  The  (liristian  Indians,  who 
were  his  particular  charge,  lived  at  too  great  a  distaiu-e  to 
benefit  by  his  labors.  The  province,  however,  allowed  a 
salary  to  a  /I'alons  ))reacher,  who  labored  among  them  with 
a}>os!()lic  t"(  rvor,  and  with  the  same  disregard  to  the  things 
of  this  world.     J)r.  Ogilvie'  was  highly  respected,  and  in- 


spicuous  ])art  in  sovcriiiff  the  church  from  its  (It'ix'iulencti  upon  tlie 
mother  country,  and  its  rcorfjani/ation  upon  the  present  plan.  Ilo 
look  stroH};  ground  in  favor  of  the  cause  of  the  revolution,  and  at  a 
most  critical  time  when  Hurffoyne  was  advancinif  ui)on  tlu!  city,  lie 
animated  and  inspired  the  ])(!ople  by  havinj;  his  church  ojx'n  daily  for 
prayer  and  address.  He  left  in  manuscript  a  IIel)rew  and  (ireek 
lexicon  in  2  vols.,  folio,  which  is  preserved  in  the  State  Library  at 
Albany. 

*  Jolm  Ojjilvie  was  a  native  of  New  York.  lie  was  ostensibly  an 
Indian  missionary  in  the  Mohawk  valley,  althoujfli  lu^  preached  mostly 
at  St.  Peti'r's  Episcopal  church  in  Albany,  from  h is fjrrad nation  at  Yale 
college  in  1748  until  1705,  haviufj  been  appointed  t()  this  mission  on 
account  of  his  beintr  a  DiUch  scholar.  In  1 700  he  joined  the  <'xpedi- 
tion  afjjainst  Niajrara,  and  continued  attached  to  tlu^  army  until  the 
close  of  th»!  French  war.  After  leavin<f  Albany  he  was  an  assistant 
minister  at  Trinity  church  in  New  Ycjrk  and  a  professor  in  Columbia 
college.  On  the.  death  of  liev.  Dr.  Barclay  in  1754,  who  had  under- 
taken the  aupervision  of  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer  in  the  Indian 


1! 


y 


it> 


\A 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


237 


t 


det'd  iiuicli  beloved  l)y  idl  wlso  were  cinciblc  of  ai>i>r('ciatiiig 
liisiiU'rit.  His  a]»]»e!iruiu'e  was  sinyularly  )»i't'|M)ss('ssiii<^  ;  liis 
address  ami  inamiers  entirely  those  of  a  ticiilleinan.  His 
abilities  were  i'es|>ectal>le,  liis  doctrine  was  pure  and  scrip- 
tural, and  his  life  exemplary,  both  as  a  clergyman  and  in  his 
domestic  cii'cle,  wlu're  he  was  peculiarly  amiable  ;  add  to 
all  this  a  talent  for  con\ crsalion,  e\tensi\t'  i-eadin<i,  and  a 
tlit»rouij,h  know  ledi;e  of  life.  The  <loctor  was  indeed  a  man 
after  MadameV  own  heart  ;  and  she  ne\ cr  ci-ased  ren'rettinuf 
his  departui'e  to  New  ^ Ork,  where  he  was  settletl  two  years 
after.  l'\)r  Stuart'  she  had  the  utmost  vi'ueration.  Per- 
fectly calculati'd  for  his  austere  ami  imcourtly  duties,  he 
was  wholly  devoted  to  them,  an<l  scarce  cast  a  look  back  to 
that  world  which  he  had  forsaken.  Vet  he  was,  on  various 
accounts,  highly  valued  by  Madanu'  ;  for  since  the  appoint- 
ment of  the  superintendent,  and  more  particMdarly  siiu-i'the 
<leath  of  the  colonel,  he  becami'  iniMC  important  to  lu'r,  as 
the  link  which  lu'ld  hei'  to  the  Mohawks,  whom  she  no^'  saw 


so  much  nu)re  sehhun,  but  alwavs  continued  to  love 


T\ 


le 


com[»rehensi()n  of  her  mind  was  soiireat,  and  her  desire  for 
knowledge  so  stroni>',  that  she  found  much  entertainment 
in  tracinjj,'  the  uid'oldinns  of  the  human  mind  in  its  native 
state,  and  the  gradual  progress  of  intellect  when  enlightened 
by  the  gentle  influence  of  pure  religion  ;  and  this  good 
Juif/irr  of  the  {lexai'ts  grntitied  her  more  by  the  details  lie 


toiififuc,  tli(^  work  wascontiiuu'd  l)y  Dr.  Ofjilvic,  who  was  also  fainiliar 
with  the  laIl(fllaJJ<^  Tlic  work  seems  to  have  been  finished  l)y  him  in 
17(!().  He  (lied  20  Nov.,  1774,  ajrcd  ~A,  Icavinjr  anion;>'  other  bcnefac 
tions  £;J00  to  a  ciiarity  school. —  M. 

'  A  pious  missionary  in  the  Mohawk  country.—  Mrn.  Grant.  [Jolni 
Stuart,  I).  D.,  styled  tlic  father  of  tlu!  E])lsco)ial  churcli  in  Upper  Canada 
(See  iV.  }".  J)(ic.  IIiKt.,  in,  lOGo);  was  tiie  only  Episcopal  missionary 
amonjT  the  Indians  throu^^liout  the  whole  confederacy,  wliich,  we  an; 
informed  by  Sir  Guy  Jolmson,  "  atlorded  an  ojiportunity  for  introduc 
injr  New  Enjfland  missionaries  who  diffused  their  evil  princiides  with 
their  re lijfiou"  {Col.  Doc,  viii,  GO?.)— i/.J 


f  • 

' 

f 

! 

I 

■ 

i      : 

' 

-     i 

f 

K 
I 


iw 


M 


i':j|iiiiix  IIP  ,„    ,\ 


■^'IKIllCAN    I,,,UIV. 


I 

.'III 
I 'I 


"■■■""•n:.l.l,,|  ,„     i,       , 

; ^ '''''<•'<''■  >><.<Z'i::'r'':^:''' -'..riiiin,, 

'r; '''•'•  "••i':..-v»  ill ,,,,,,   ;.'''■''■-' -.•.■.■.>.  .s,i,.ii,i,, 

^.iLTs  ulii,.l,  I,  .    .  "    •  ^''•■l"'n||||;irv . 


•••'-'■7'l".l.  h,.  ,„,„,.„„,,  .   „'■'"■•'"'■"■>   I—..I  :i,,v,ii|. 

p';'  -••.>.« I ,..,,"'''■;' ■■!*• I,,,.. 

".'7"- "■■"-".. II. ',,;,'"  '•■;■■'- „.,,.«,, 

""'] i"   ■■wn..,|.,.,,i||„  , I  .      ■'  ''\l''"'''-l    l.im  :,  niiii. 

'"•'^^''''■"".i..Mv..i,;l,,,;;     ;  "'7f'''-i.M,i , 


•■'^'-■-  T,,: ,  .,."';•;:"  '.■■"'"•"I-h.v , 

-"■'— h.i.,vi„M,i„,  ^  ;:':;^ ;''".v." ,.,1111 .„„, 


I! 


111! 


MllMOIKS    (IK    AN     AmKRM  AN     liADV. 


'IIW 


*N 


(lie  tjrc.'ilfsl  r;i\  orilc,  iiimI  Im'ciiiiic  more  cinlc'irc'l  In  licr,  I  iiiii 
brint;  It'ss  succcssrnl  in  lilV  lli;in  (lie  rest  ul'  liis  iMiiiily. 

In  :i  ciMiiicil  licM  iK'twccn  tlicir  rrliitiniiH  ami  M:i<l:itii<', 
it  w.'is  <l<'('ii|(>i|  lliat  IhiIIi  ('nrllaiMJt  and  Cornilnis  slionld 
( I'V  (licir  roilnnt'in  arms.  Corllandl  wasmadr  an  ensif^n 
in  an  oM  rc^imcnl,  an<l  went  over  Id  In-land.  ('(Mndins, 
a  year  alter,  if<»|  a  cum  mission  in  tlir  .^aiji,  tlirn  cummamlnl 
Ity  tlial  sint;nlarly  \v<»illiy  and  iM-ncvolcnt  rliaiactcf  Sir 
Ad(tl|>lins  ( )ni;lilon.  Tlir  mayor  was  liii:;ldy  rcs|»c(t('<|  fur 
liis  wisdom  ;  yet  liis  |>nr<liasin;j:,  a  rommission  Cor  so  nicrc^ 
a  l»oy,  and  Jayini^  ont  tor  it  a  sum  of  nronry  wlii<'li  apprartd 
lary;*'  in  a  country  where  [ic  ._>ic  contrived  to  do  \(ry  well 
with  wonderi'ully  little  of  that  article,  astonisheil  all  his 
countrymen,  ("onscions,  how(.'V«'r,  of  his  son's  military 
genius,  and  well  knowini^  that  the  vivacity  that  lilled  his 
ijrave  kinsmen  with  a|i|U('hension,  was  nu'rcly  a  laml»ent. 
flame  of  youthful  Ljayety,  wlii<h  would  l»la/,e  without, 
scorchinLT,  he  fearlessly  lainichecl  him  into  a  |U'ofession  in 
which  he  lio|)e(|  to  see  him  attain  nn-rited  distinction. 
While  IIm^  excellent  pal.i'oness  <»f  all  these  y<UMi<^  |)eo|»Ie 
had  llu^  salislactioii  of  seeinj^  every  one  hroiioht  up  under 
her  auspices  (and,  l>y  this  time,  they  were  lutt,  a  few),  do 
lioinu'  to  her  instructions,  and  till  up  their  dill'erent  stations 
in  a  manner  the  most  creditable  and  |>rosperous  ;  and  she 
was  (tfteii  surrounded  l>y  the  children  of  those  who  had  en- 
<ia<re<l  her  earliest,  cares. 


l»lIKNIN<i     OK    'niK   II(MISK  AT     I'illO    FkATS MaDAMK's    Hk- 

MOVAI- .lolIUNKV   OK    I'lIK   AlJ'IllOlt. 

JL'P  was  at  this   time,  when  she  was   in  tlu!  V(!ry  acme   of 
her  reputation,  and  her  name  never  mention(5<l  without  some 


T 

\ 


9P% 


240 


Mi:m(HUs  of  an  Amkuican  Lady. 


added  ('pitlu't  oi'  rcsiicct  or  afTi'ctioii,  fli:it  licr  lumsc,  so 
loiiiX  tlu'  rcccptMclc  of  iill  tli:it  wiis  y-cxKl  (»r  inlt'lliuct'iit,  and 
the  asylum  of  all  that  was  lu'l|»k'ss  :iml  iinrorliinatc,  was 
cntirt'ly  i'onsiiiiu'<l  before  her  eyes. 


MiiduiiK'  Scliiiylur  lioiise  at  Uio  rials. 

Ill  tlii'  sunmuT  of  this  year,  as  (i».aeral  llradstreet  was 
ridin<f  l>y  the  I'Mats  one  d.-iy,  :iiid  in'o|)«isiiin'  to  call  <m 
Madame,  he  saw  lii'i-  sittiiii;-  in  a  ureat  chair  under  the  little 
avenue  of  cherry  trees  that  led  from  her  house  to  th  road. 
All  the  way  as  lie  a|»i»roaclie(l  he  saw  smoke,  and  at  last 
Hames,  bursting  out  from  tlu'  top  of  her  house.  He  Avas 
afraid  to  alarm  her  suddenly  ;  but  when  he  told  her,  she 
heard  it  with  tlu'  utmost  eonn»osui'e  ;  pointed  out  the  like- 
liest means  to  clieck  the  tire  ;  and  ordeivd  tlie  neighbors  to 
be  summoned,  and  the  most  valuable  goods  tirst  remove(l, 
without  ever  attemi»tiiig  to  go  oxci-  tlie  lionse  lierself,  when 
slie  knew  she  could  l»e  of  no  sei'vice  ;  but  with  the  most 
admirable  presence  ot"  mind,  she  sat  still  with  a  placid 
countenance,  regulating  and  ordering  everything  in  the 
most  judicious  manner,  and  with  as  much  connK)sure  as  if 
slie  ha<l  nothing  to  lose.'     When  evening  came,  of  that  once 

'The  house  of  Madaino  Scliuyler  was  burnt  in  1703.  Her  father  in 
1(580,  came  in  possession  of  two  houses  on  tlie  soutli-east  corner  of 
State  and  Pearl  streets  in  the  city  of  Albany,  one  of  which  still  remains 
there,  the  other  having  been  removed  to  widen  Pearl  street.     In  one 


Mkmuius  uf  an  Amkuican   Lakv. 


241 


hiV|)|)y  iiiiiiisioii  nut  a  sinjjflf  beam  was  left,  ami  the  scorclMMl 
brick  walls  wi'iv  all  that  icmaiiicil  to  mark  wluTc  it,  liail 
stood. 

Aradaiiic  could  not  nc  saiil  to  be  left  without  a  dwclliuLT, 
liavint;  a  liousc  iu  Albany  I'atlicr  larmT  than  the  one  de- 
Ktroyed.  I»ut  she  was  fondly  attacluMi  to  the  spot  which 
liad  bei-n  the  srene  of  so  much  feru-itv,  and  rendered  more 
dear  to  her  by  retainiiiL!,-  within  its  bounds  the  remains  of 
her  belove<l  jiartnei'.  She  removeil  to  I'ldrom's  house  for 
the  night.  The  news  of  what  had  hapiieiied  spread  every 
where  ;  and  she  had  the  comfort  of  knowinij^,  in  consiujueiico 
of  this  misfortune,  better  than  she  could  bv  anv  <»ther  means, 
how  threat  a  <lenree  of  public  cstci'm  an<l  [trivate  j^ratitude 
she  ha<l  excited.  Tlu'  next  <lay  ix'ople  canu'  from  all 
quarters  to  i-ondole,  and  ask  her  dii'cct'.ons  where  and  how 
she  would  choose  to  have  another  house  built.  And  in  a 
few  days  the  i;roun<l  was  co\  i  red  with  l)ricks,  tindter,  and 
other  materials,  brouyht  there  by  hei'  friends  in  \()luntary 
kindness.  It  is  to  be  observed  that  the  people  in  the 
interior  of  New  York  wen- so  exi'eedin(«lv  skillful  in  the  use 


Vi. 

I 


(^M^-■^ 


of  thcsi!  houses  Madame  Schuyler  lived  whih;  hor  lir)use  at  the  Flats 
was  in  process  of  rebuildiu};.  The  house  now  oc(!U|>ied  by  Mr.  Stephen 
Schuyler,  a  descendant  of  the  family,  is  known  to  have  beiMi  built 
ujmn  the  foundation  of  th(M)ld  one,  and  of  tlu;  sani(!  ilimensions  and 
style  of  architectur(^  That  portion  of  the  wall  of  the  burnt  house, 
forminjr  the  north-west  corner,  is  still  discernibh!  in  th(i  i)resent 
structure,  of  which  an  enjiravinfjf  is  lien;  presented.  The  house  stands 
a  few  rods  from  the  river  l)ank,  facinjr  the  (sast,  and  has  the  sanu) 
asi)ect  as  when  built  more  than  a  century  ajro.  The  front  door,  which 
is  divide;!  laterally,  in  the  fashion  of  tlie  day,  into  an  upper  and  lower 
door,  still  retains  its  ipiaint  old  brass  knocker  ;  and  tlie  same  shutters, 
with  tluiir  curious  fastenintrs  and  hinjrt's,  remain  as  when  it  was  built, 
in  177'3,  l>y  the  fath(?r  of  the  present  Mr.  John  ('.Schuyler,  who  leased 
the  premises  after  tlu!  fire.  The  scents  lookinjj  south  from  this  spot  is 
one  of  yreat  beauty,  stretchinjf  over  a  level  plain  reachinfj;  to  the  Van 
Rensselaer  mansion,  about  three  or  four  miles  below,  skirtiul  by  the 
river  on  the  cast  and  the  Erie  canal  on  its  western  bordtsr. —  M. 

31 


rnTiinmimniiHi 


■  »"I>lll 


'24-2 


Memoirs  ov  an  Amkhk'an  Laky. 


iHit  only  t»t'  the  Mxc,  l>ul  all  onliiiarv  tools  uscil  in  jtlaiiiiig 
and  j(»iiiiii_uf  tiinluT,  tliat  with  the  a'niol'  a  ri'^iilar  farpi'iitiT 
()'•  two  to  I'urry  on  tlu'  nicer  parts  ol"  tlic  work,  a  man  could 
Itnild  an  ordinary  liousc.  ii"  it  wcic  a  wooden  one,  with  vi'ry 
little  more  than  his  t)wn  domestics,  it.  can  scarce,  bo 
credited  that  this  house,  l>v't;un  in  August,  was  ready  for 
aunt's  reception  against  winter,  which  lu'i'c  hci^ins  very 
e;irlv.  l>ut  (Jeneral  ilrailstreet  had  sent  sonic  of  the  kintij's 
workmen,  t'onsidcriuii;  tlu-m  as  eniployetl  lor  the  piddii! 
service,  while  carryinn"  on  this  huildiui;'.  'I'he  most  uu- 
pleasant  cir('umst!inci'  ahoul  this  new  dwelliuif,  was  tlio 
melanch(»ly  hiatus  which  appeared  in  front,  when-  the  foruuT 
laru;e  house  had  stood,  aiul  where  the  di-ep  and  spacious 
cellars  still  vawnetl  in  i^looniy  desolation.  Madanu',  who 
no  loTti^er  studie(l  appearance,  but  uu'i't'ly  tlioUi;ht  of  a 
temporarv  accoiuuK  nation,  lor  a  life  which  neither  she  nor 
any  one  e\pecti'<l  to  1k'  a  h'tiix  one,  ordered  a  broad  wooden 
bridge,  like  those  we  sei'  o\er  rivers.  This  bridyc  was 
furnished  with  seats  lilu-  a  portico,  and  this  witli  the  hit;h 
walls  of  tlu' burnt  house,  which  were  a  kind  of  screen  before 
the  ni'W  on<',  gave  the  whole  the  ap[>earance  of  some  ancient 
ruin. 

^Madanu-  diil  uo\  find  tlu'  winter  pass  comfortably.  That 
road,  now  that  matters  wi're  ri'gulai'ly  settled,  was  no  longer 
the  constant  ri'sort  of  her  military  fi'iends.  Ili'r  favorite 
nieces  were  too  engaging,  and  too  nuieh  admired,  to  leave 


'  Jolui  liriulsfri'(>t  wiisqiiartcr-mnsttT-jjt'noral,  wliose  career  lias  been 
sketched  by  Dr.  O'Callayflian  in  (\>h»iiitl  Dot-iimi'iits  of  New  Vork, 
viii,  ;{T9.  Ilia  HtateTiient  of  Indian  attairs  in  tlio  war  with  i'ontiac  ia 
to  be  found  in  tlie  Diary  of  the  tiuge  of  Detroit,  puljiialiedin  IV  Mun- 
sell's  1  list.  fSirii's.  Mia  jmpers  are  preserved  in  tlu^  New  York  State 
Library  at  Albany.  The  honse  oci'upied  by  (len.  Philip  Schuyler  in 
Albany,  one  of  the  historical  nuinsions  of  that  city,  was  built  by  the 
wife  of  (len.  Hradstreet  durin<;  his  absence  at  Oswego.  He  fill(;d  with 
distinj>uished  ability  various  important  ofhces,  civil  and  military,  and 
died  25  Sept.  1774,  aged  <)3.—  M. 


i^ 


I, 


t 


Mi;m(»ih,-(  or  an   Amiihtan   IiAi»v. 


¥ 


room  to  cxitccl  llit'v  slioiiM  ivinaiii  witli  lu-r.  Slic  rniiii<l 
licr  liuiisi'  cunipaiMl  ivrly  coid  mii'I  iiicoiivciiiml,  iiinl  llic 
winter  loiiLj  !iii(l  (•(imrnit less.  Slic  cdiild  iiof  now  t'Msily  ^o 
llic  <list:incc  In  cliiiicli.  IVmIiium,  that  anVctiunalf  and  rc- 
s|i('ct('(l  l>r()tlu>r,  was  now,  '>y  incrcasiiiLj  dcal'iK'ss,  diMiiialilicd 
I'loni  Ix'ini^  a  cuniitaninn  ;  and  sister  Susan,  inlirni  and 
clieei'less,  was  now,  loi-  the  most  |>art,  conlincMl  |o  her 
ehain'ter.  I'nder  these  eireninstanees  she  was  at  h'li^th 
prevaih'd  on  to  renio\e  to  Alhany.  'The  I'lals  she  j^aNc  in 
lease  to  I'l'droin's  son  Ste|»lien.  The  house  and  siii'idund- 
inu;  nrounds  were  let  to  an  Irish  j^ent  h'nian,  who  came  ovei' 
to  Aniei'iea  to  lienin  anew  course  of  life,  al'fer  spendin!^  his 
I'itrtuni'  in  I'asliionalde  dissipation.  On  eoininoto  i\ineriea, 
lie  foiind  tiiat  there  was  an  intermediate  state  o|'  hardship  and 
Hi'llnh-nial  to  he  eneonnterecl,  hel'ore  he  eoidd  enter  on  that, 
fan*  led  Arcadia  wliieh  he  thoiiijht  was  to  he  roun<l  in  evei'y 
wood.  III'  settU'd  his  I'amilv  in  this  teniiiorarv  dwellintr. 
while  he  went  to  traverse  the  |)rovinces  in  search  of  s(»m(! 
unlorfeitiMl  Kden,  where  the  rose  had  no  ihoin,  and  the 
course  of  ceaseless  lahorhad  not  Iteniin  to  operate.  Madame 
found  reason  to  In-  hiijfhly  satisfied  with  the  ehaiinc  Slu; 
had  mills  which  supplied  her  with  liread,  her  slaves  cut, 
and  ltroui;ht  home  lire  w»t(»(l,  she  had  a  t^ood  i;arden,  and 
fruit  an<l  every  other  rui'al  dainty  came  lo  her  in  the 
trreatest  ahundance.  All  her  former  iirote<_ces  and  friends 
ill  (lifTereiil  (piarters  deliL,dite(l  to  s<'ndtheii-  tribute;  and 
this  was  merely  an  interehanije  of  kindness. 

Soon  after  this  removal,  her  eldest  nieci',  a  remarkable! 
line  yoimg  woman,  was  married  to  ,Mr.  ('.  of  ('.  manor, 
which  was  accounted  one  of  the  best  matches,  or  rather  the 
very  best  in  the  )>rovince.  She  was  <list inj^uished  by  a 
fii^uri'  of  uncommon  j^race  and  <lii:;nity,  a  noble  and  expres- 
sive countenance,  and  a  mind  such  as  her  apj»earancu  led 
one  to  expect.  This  very  respectable  person  is,  I  ]»clievo, 
.still  living,  after  witnessing,  among  licr  dearest  councctiuns, 


'», 


•J  1  \ 


Mr.Mnl  us    UK    AN     .N.MIiltU'AN     \,\\>\ 


i": ' 


scriH's  llicmosl  (lislrrssinn.  Mini  ili;iliii«'S  lliciiinsi  |»;iiiiriil. 
Slic  li:is  I'xcr  coiKliiclcd  In  rscir,  so  ;is  In  ilo  Iioimh-  in  iIk' 
(>\<'<'ll('nl  «>\:illl|)lrs  nl'  Inr  llintlicl'  iiikI  miiiiI,  .-llltl  In  Im>  ;i 
piillmi  of  slrMtH'iisi  1 1  Mill  mill  iiciu-iniis  rri('inlsln|i,  in  r\i- 
iifiicit's  llir  iiinsi  lr\iiii:.  Her  \niiii<frr  sislcr,  cmiimIIv  .•hI- 
inirt'il,  lliniiLili  |Mt!<s('ssiiii;  :i  ililVricnl  style  nl'  ImmiiIv,  iiinrt' 
snl'l  Mini  (It'ltniiMir,  with  tlic  iMircsl  rnin|il('\inii.  Mini  iimsl 
clH't'll'ill  silii|ilifil y  nl"  ;|s|M'(l,  wms  iIic  inciiliMr  iMNnlilrnr 
IhT  Milllt,  Mlinxc  ill  lIlMt  ('\i'r  she  Innix  cIlMim'  nl'  ;  s\\{'.  Inn, 
WMS  snnll  mIIi'I'  IIIMirii'tl  In  iIimI  llii;llly  (  ^Icflllfil  |iMllinl  tlic 
ImU'  IsMMf  I-.,  r»'\  ('It'll,  llirniii;,li  llic  w  linlf  cnlil  iliclll ,  I'nr  liis 
snllinl  ynnd  sciisr  Mild  n'ciluilU'  |>ultlic  s|>i  il .  lit'  w  M>,  iiidtctl, 
"liMppily   tciii|>»'r«'d,   mild.  Mild   linn  ;"   mid    wms   liiiMlly  llif 

\  id  iin  nl'  slt'MiU'Mst    ln\  mII  \  . 

il    iinw     ri'iiiMins    tn    >.My  Imw    the    wrilrr  it\'   llicsc    |imi;«'S 
lu't'Miiic  sn  well  M('i|iiMiiit('d  u  itii  the  suit jfcl  til'  I  hese  ineinniis. 

.My  iMllier  WMS  Ml  this  liiiit'  m  siiltMlteni  in  the  .">")|li  rej^i- 
nuMit.  TliMl  Ittitlv  ttl' iiieii  wt'rellieii  siMliniifil  Ml  (>swfi;ti  ; 
Itiit  tliiriiiij;  the  hiisy  miiiI  WMilike  peritid  I  liMve  lieeii  tlescrUi- 
iiiLT,  my  innther  Mini  I  were  ItnMrileil,  in  llie  fnimliy,  helnw 
AlltMiiy,  with  the  iimst  wtntliy  |»en|)le  iniMniiiMlde  ;  with 
wht>m  we  e\ei-  Miter  ke|i|  up  m  enrtliMi  rrieinlshi|».  My 
I'Mther,  wishiiiLf  In  see  his  iMinily,  wms  intlnlLjetl  with  |M'r- 
iiiissittn,  ami  at  the  same  time  ttnlered  tt)  ImKc  the  ettiniiiMinl 
<d'  an  ailtlitituial  et>iii|»Mny,  wlm  wtTe  tt»  «'niiie  n|»,  and  ti> 
|)iireliase  I'tir  tlu'  rejuinieiit  all  the  stt>i('s  they  slniiijil  ret|iiire 
I'tirthe  winter;  which  |irti\('tl  a  nit)sl  e\lensi\  c  et)ininissit)ii. 
In  the  nitnith  tA'  ()ett)l»er  he  set  tmt  t)n  this  jtiiirney,  or 
vtiyaii'e  rather,  in  whieh  it  wassettletl  that  my  inntheraml 
I  sht)uld  aee(>in|iMiiy  him.  Wi'  Wfre,  I  hejiexc,  the  lirst 
females,  ahttve  th«'  vt'iy  Itiwest  ranks,  wlnt  hail  ever  |iene- 
trateil  so  far  in'.t)  this  remnte  wiltlevness.  Certainly  lu-ver 
was  jov  Lrreater  tl  an  that  whieh  liilktl  mv  i-hiltlish  mint!  on 
settint;  out  on  this  iournev.  I  h:i<l  Itefore  seen  little  of  mv 
I'atliei-,  ami  the  mt)s,'  1  knew  of  him  was  from  the  solieitudo 


1 


1 


Mr.Mnius  or   an   Ami.hman   Lakv 


'Ji:. 


I  ll.'nl  lir;il'<l  i>\|in'ss*>i|  on  Ills  iimniMl ,  ilMil  llir  IrMI'  nl'  his 
iltMtli  Ml'trr  r\t'i  V  l):illli'.  I  v\:i>,  IikIitiI,  :i  lilllf  iisliiiiiitil  nl' 
li;i>iiiLr  II  iiiililiiiy  iMtlur,  I>i<iiil;Ii(  ii|)  :is  I  li:iil  iimslly  Imtii, 
ill  ;i  |)ii|i-li  liimily,  :iliil  s|ir:ikinLj  I  li:il  l;iiii,ni!i;,'<'  ;is  lliitnl  I  y 
:is  iii\  dwii  ;  \('l,  on  ilic  uIIm  r  lininl,  I  li.i'l  U\\  so  ;i\\  Uw  ;ii<l 
III  st'«'iii<4  :ill  in\  roin|i:iiiioMs  Icisr  l.-illirrs  to  t:illx  anil  rum 
|il:iin  |o,  \Nliilr  I  hail  noni',  ihal  I  ihoiiuhl  ii|M>n  ihr  whoic 
il  Wiis  a  \tr\  "immI  i  hin^  lo  ha\  i  a  lalliriol  any  kiml.  'I'hr 
scailcl  loal,  wliii'h  I  hail  Imiii  lanulil  lo  mnsiilrr  as  ihc 
svinhol  of  w  icLilrn'ss,  tlisunslcij  nif  in  soini'  tlr^irr  ;  ImiI 
then,  to  iny  ureal  loinlorl,  I  Ion  in  I  my  lalln'r  iliil  not  swrar  ; 
ainl  auiiiii,  lo  my  nns|ifalN;ihl<'  th-li^hl,  Ihal  he  |iiaNt'<l.  A 
sohlicr  |n':iv  !  w.is  il  jiossililf?  anil  shoiiiil  I  nally  sci-  my 
fallicr  in  hravm  I  llo\\  I  iaiis|ior' ini;  !  I»y  ;i  sinhhn  n\o|n 
lion  of  opinion  I  imw   ihonuhl  my  r.ilhci  ihr  nmsi  iliannin;^ 

of  all  Ix'inus  ;   ami  I  ln'  o\  cillou  ini^s  of  my  l; I  will  ifai'linj 

lo  ihf  whole  (omiiany,  lieeanse  tiny  wore  ihesame  colur, 
and  seemeil  lo  |es|ieel  ami  oIm\  him.  I  ill  ally  |o\(i|  iille- 
ness  loo,  ami  the  inoic,  heeanse  my  niolhef,  who  lleli^lllel| 
in  neei||e-w  oik,  conlineil  me  loo  mneh  to  it.  What  joys 
weic  mine  !  |o  lie  iille  lor  a  roilniiihl,  seeing  new  woods, 
fixers,  .and  .inim.als,  e\  ery  d;iy  ;  e\  en  I  hen  I  he  lo\  e  of  mil  lire 
w.as,  in  mv  yoiini;  hosoin,  :i  passion  |irodneli\e  of  im-ess.inl 
delinht.  1  h:iil,  loo,  a  |nimer,  I  wo  liynms,  and  :i  hallad  ;  :ind 
these  I  rend  o\er  and  over  with  ;^reat  diliuenee.  .\l  inler- 
\als  mv  attention  w;is  a^reeiddy  enLT.'iU'ed  liy  the  details  the 
soldiers  i;;i\i'  my  father  of  their  manner  of  li\inj.f  .'ind  liLcht- 
intJJ  ill  (he  woods,  etc.,  Mild  with  I  hese  t  he  [naises  of  M.iihiiiKi 
were  often  min^Ieil.  I  thoii^ht  of  her  eoniinn.ally  ;  e\cry 
l^reiit  tiling  I  heard  .aliont  her,  even  her  si/i',  h.ad  its  ini|ires- 
sion.  She  liec;inie  the  heroine  of  my  childish  imai;ination  ; 
and  I  lhoiiL>-ht  id'  her  as  soinethint;  holh  Mwfnl  :ind  :idiniral)lc. 
We  had  the  snrtfeon  of  the  reirimeni,  :ind  another  ollicer 
with  IIS  ;  ihev  l.'iikeil  too,  of  .Maihime,  of  Indians,  of  hatlles, 
and    of   ancient    liislorN'.      Sitting   from    niornin;^   to    niirht 


). .  I' 


246 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lai>y, 


iniisiiii;  in  tlu'  boat,  contcmitlatiiig  my  fiitlirr,  wlio  apiu'iirod 
to  iiic  a  lu'K)  and  a  saint,  ami  thinking  of  Annt  Schuyler, 
wlio  tilled  up  my  whole  mind  with  the  grandeur  with  which 
my  fancy  had  investe<l  her  ;  and  then  having  my  imagina- 
tion continually  amused  with  the  variety  of  nohle  wild 
scenes  which  the  beautiful  hanks  of  the  Mohawk  afForded, 
r  am  c(»nvinc»'d  I  thought  more  in  that  fortnight,  that  is 
to  say,  ac(|uire<l  more  ideas,  and  took  more  lasting  im|uvs- 
sions,  than  ever  I  did,  in  thi'  sanu'  space  of  tinu',  in  my  life. 
This,  however  foreign  it  may  ap|tear  to  my  subject,  I  men- 
tion, as  so  far  connecting  with  it,  that  it  accounts,  in  some 
measure,  for  that  developnu'ut  of  thought  which  led  me  to 
take  such  ready  and  strong  impressions  from  auutV  con- 
versation when  afterwards  I  knew  her. 


CirAlTEK  XLV. 

C'oNTIMATION    OK    TIIK    ,Iol  KNKV AltKIVAI.    \'V    OsWiiGO. 

i^l  KN'IOU,  certainly,  was  a  journey  so  replete  with  felicity. 
I  luxui'iated  in  idleiu'ss  and  novelty  ;  knowledge  was  my 
delight,  and  it  was  now  jtouring  in  on  my  mind  from  all 
sitles.  What  a  change  from  sitting  piuTU'd  down  to  my 
samplar  by  my  mother  till  the  hour  of  play,  and  then  run- 
ning wild  with  childn'u  as  young,  and  still  simpler  than 
myself.  Mui-h  attended  to  bv  all  my  fellow  travelers,  T 
was  absolutely  intoxicated  with  the  •harms  of  novelty,  and 
the  sensi'  of  my  new-found  importance'.  The  first  day  we 
canu'  to  Schenectady,  a  little  towji,  situated  ii  a  rich  aJid 
Iteautiful  spot,  and  |>artly  supportcci  by  the  Indian  trade. 
The  next  day  we  embarked,  procei'ded  uj»  the  river  with  six 
bateaux,  and  came  early  in  the  evening  to  one  of  the  most 
chai'ining  scenes  imaginable,  where  Fort  Ilendrick  was  built  ; 
so  called,  in  comjtlinu'Ut  to  {lie  principal  sachem,  or  king  of 


■  !.-     i- 


1 


my 
nin- 
llian 
rs,I 
iuid 
)■  we 

;i<k'. 
1  six 
nost 
|iilt  ; 
igof 


] 


Memoirs  of  an  Amkuican  Lady. 


247 


the  Moliiiwks.     The  eastle  of  tliis  primitive  monureh  stood 
at  !i  little  distance,  on  a  rising  ground,  surrounded  by  ]);di- 
sades.     He  resided,  at  the  tinu',  in  a  house  whieh  tlie  iiuhlie 
workmen,  who  had  lately  huilt  this  fort,  had  been  ordered 
to  erect  for  him  in  the  vicinity.     We  did  not  fail  to  wait 
upon  his  majesty  ;  who,  not  choosing  to  (U'part  too  much 
from  the  customs  of  his  ancestors,  had  not  j»i'rmitted  divi- 
sions of  apartments,  or  modern  furniture,  to  profane  his  new 
dwelling.     It  had  the  a}>pearance  of  a  good  b.-irn,  and  was 
divided  across  by  a  mat  hung  in  the  mitldle.     King  Ilen- 
drick,  wlio  had  indeed  a  very  princely  figure,  aiul  a  counte- 
nance tliat  would  not  have  dishonored  royalty,  was  sitting 
on  the  floor  beside  a  large  heap  of  wheat,  surrounded  with 
baskets  of  dried  berries  of  different  kinds  ;  beside  him,  his 
son,  a   very  pretty  boy,  somewhat   older   that   myself,  was 
carressing  a  foal,   which   was  unceremoniously  introduced 
into   the  royal    resideiu'c.     A    laced  hat,  a   tine  saddle   and 
j)istols,  gifts  of  his  good  brother  the  great  king,  were  hung 
round  on  tlie  cross  beams.     He  was  splendidly  arrayed  in  a 
coat  of  pale  blue,  trimmed  witli  silvi-r  ;  all  the  rest  of  his 
dress  was  of  tlie  fashion  of  his  own  nation,  and  highly  em- 
bellished with  beads  and  other  ornaments.     All  this  suited 
my  taste  exceedingly,  and  was  level  to  my  comprehension. 
I  was  })r(4)ared  to  admire  King  Hendrick  by  hearing  him 
described  as  a  generous  warrior,  terrible  to  his  enemies  and 
kind  to  his  friends  :  the  character  of  all  others  calculated 
to  make  the  deepest  impression  on  ignorant  innocence,  in  a 
country  where  infants  learned  the  horrors  of  war  from  its 
vicinity.     Add  to  all  this,  that  tlie  monarch  smiled,  claj>ped 
my  head,  and  ordered  me  a  little  basket,  very  pretty,  and 
filled  by  the  officious  kiiubiess  of  his  son  with  dried  berries. 
Never  tlid  princeb   gifts,  or  the  smile  of  royalty,  produce 
more  ardent  admiration   and  profound  gratitude.     1  went 
out  of  the  royal  presenile  overawed  and  delighted,  and  am 


i 


not  sure  but  what  I  have  liked  kintrs  all 


my 


life  the  better 


248 


Mkmoiks  of  an  Amkrican  Lady. 


for  this  li:i|t|»y  s|u'<''niu'ii,  (o  wliifli  I  w;is  so  cnrly  iiitroduci'd. 
ll:i»l  I  si'cii  royalty,  piopcrly  sucli,  iiivcstiMl  witli  all  tlio 
|K)iM|»  oi"  European  maLinilii'i'iicc,  I  slionM  possibly  have  \tvvn 
coiirusi'd  and  ovcr-da/zU'd.      I>ut  this  was  (|uili'  «'iioUi!;h,  and 


not  too  inni'h  lor  nic  ;  and  I  wont  away,  lost  ni  a  ri'vcnc, 
an<l  tliouLjht  of  nothini;'  l»nt  kings,  hattli'S,  and  i^cni'rals  for 
days  at'trr. 

Tliis  jonrni'v,  charniin!'-  niv  romantic  iniatiination  l>v  its 
vi'rv  driavs  and  dinicnltios,  was  snch  a  sonr«'c  of  intert'st 
and  novelty  to  inc,  that  ahovc  all  things  I  dreaded  its  eon- 
tdnsion,  whieli  1  wt-U  knew  wonld  he  sneeee(led  hy  h»n!^ 
tasks  and  close  conlint'nient.  Happily  lor  nie  we  soon 
enteretl  upon  Wood  creek,  the  most  desirahle  of  all  jtlaces 
for  a  traveler  who  loves  to  linu'er  if  snch  aiioth«'r  trav(der 
there  he.  This  is  a  small  river,  which  winds  ii'reunlarly 
thi'(»nyh  a  deep  and  narrow  \  alley  of  tlu'  most  lavish  fei'tility. 
The  depth  ami  richiu'ss  of  the  soil  here  was  evince<l  l>y  tho 
loftiness  and  the  natni'e  of  the  trees,  which  were,  hickory, 
hntter-nut,  chestnut,  ami  sycamores,  of  vast  circund'erenco 
as  well  as  heiinht.  These  became  so  top-heavy,  and  their 
roots  were  so  often  nntlei'minecl  by  this  insidious  stream, 
that  in  every  t»'mpestuous  ni^lit,  some  liiants  of  the  strove 
It'll  prostrate,  and  very  friMpU'ntly  across  tlu'  stream,  whei'e 
they  lay  in  all  their  |)om|>  of  foliaLje,  like  a  leafy  brid<:;e, 
unwithei'i'd,  and  foiined  an  obstach'  almost  invincible  to  all 
na\  iuation.  The  Indian  lifted  his  slight  canoe,  and  carried 
it  |»ast  the  ti'ce  ;  but  our  deep-loaded  bateaux  could  not  be 
so  m;ina<j:ed.  Mere  mv  orthodoxv  was  shocked,  and  i  '.y 
:inti-military  ]»rejutlices  revived  by  tlu'  sweariuLT  of  the 
soldiers  ;  but  tlu'U  a^aiii  my  M'lU'rjition  for  my  father  w:is 
if  possible  increased,  by  his  lectures  a<;ainst  sweariuL;:  pro- 
\  oked  by  their  t  ransyressiou.  Nothiny'  remained  for  our 
heroes  but  to  attack  thest'  syh.an  iiiants  axe  in  hand,  and 
make  way  throu<rh  tiieir  <lividetl  bodit's.  'I'he  ass;iult  upon 
falli'U  «i:reatness  was  umminious  and   unmerciful,   but,  the 


/,• 


Mk.MoIKS    ok    ax    AmKKUWN    liAltY 


240 


<>:il 


rnctl 


.11 


>C' 


I  '.y 

till' 

was 

|irt»- 

oiir 

|l|)OII 

tiio 


k 


vcsistnncc  was  IouljIi,  aiifl  the  jtroccss  tedious  ;  so  iiiucli  so, 
that  we  were  three  days  ]»roeeediii<r  i'ourteeii  miles,  haviiiij 
at  e\('i'N   t\v<t  hour's  end  at  K-ast,  a  new  tree  to  cut  throui^h. 

it  was  here,  as  tar  as  I  reeojieet  the  histoiy  of  my  own 
heart,  that  thelirsl  idea  of  art itiee  ever  entered  to  my  mind. 
It  was,  like  most  female  ai'tiliees,  tlu'  on's|>rinjjj  of  vanity. 
These  delays  were  a  new  soui'ce  of  pleasure  to  me.  it  was 
( )etol»er  :  the  t  rees  \\v  lind  !•.  ''it  thr(»ui;h  were  often  loade«l 
with  nuts,  and  while  I  ran  livi'itly  alontf  the  hranehes,  to 
1111  my  royal  basket  with  llieir  spoils,  which  I  hail  ureat 
j)leasui-e  in  distributing',  I  met  with  multitudes  of  fellow 
])iunderers  in  the  s(|uirrels  of  various  colors  and  sizes,  who 
were  here  numlu'rless.  This  made  my  excursions  amusiui^  : 
hut,  when  I  found  my  disappearance  «'xeited  alarm,  they  as- 
sunu'd  more  interest.  It  was  so  line  to  sit  (piietly  anionic 
the  hranches,  and  hear  concern  and  solicitude  expressed 
ahout  the  child. 

I  will  spare  tlu'  reader  the  fatigue  of  accompanying  our 
little  lli'ct  through 

"  AiitrcR  vast  and  dcsnrtH  wild  :" 
oidy  ol»ser\iiig,  that  the  munilicent  solitude  through  which 
we  traveletl  was  much  relieved  I»y  the  sight  of  .lohnson 
liall,  heautifully  situated  in  a  jilain  l»y  the  river  ;  while 
.lohnson  castle,  a  few  miles  further  up,  nunli'  a  most  re- 
spectahle  appearance  on  a  commanding  eminence  at  some 
distance. 

We  traveled  from  one  fort  t<»  another;  hut  in  three  or 
four  instaiu-es,  to  mv  great  joy,  ihev  were  so  ri'mole  from 
I'ach  other,  that  we  found  it  necessary  t(»  encamp  at  night 
on  the  hank  of  the  river.  This,  in  a  land  of  profouml  soli- 
tude, where  wolves,  foxes,  and  hears  ahounded,  and  wero 
very  much  inclined  to  considei'  and  treat  us  as  intruiJers, 
might  seem  dismal  to  wiser  folks.  Hut  I  was  so  gratilied 
hy  tlu'  hustle  and  agitation  produced  hy  our  measures  of 
defence,  and   actuated   hy  tlu-  lo\c  which  all  children   have 

;j2 


\  1 


250 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


for  niiscliicf  that  is  not  fatal,  that  I  enjoyed  our  niglit's  en- 
caiiipiiu'iit  t'xcet'diiiffly.  We  sto|)|»e(l  early  wlierever  we 
saw  tlie  hirge  •♦^  and  most  eoiiibiistihle  kind  of  trees.  Cedars 
were  great  favorites,  and  the  first  work  was  to  fell  and  |>ile 
ui)on  eaeh  other  an  incredible  luunber,  stretehed  lengthways, 
while  everyone  wlio  could  was  l>usied  in  gathering  withered 
brauehes  of  pine,  etc.,  to  fill  uj»  the  interstices  of  the  j)ile, 
and  make  the  green  wood  burn  the  faster.  TIumi  a  train  of 
gun-powder  was  laid  along  to  give  fire  to  the  whole  fabric 
at  once,  which  blazed  and  crackled  magnificently.  Then 
the  tents  were  erected  close  in  a  row  before  this  grand  con- 
flagration. This  was  not  merely  meant  to  kee)»  us  warm, 
tliough  the  nights  did  begin  to  grow  cold,  but  to  frighten 
wild  beasts  and  wandering  Indians.  In  case  any  such  In- 
dians, belonging  to  hostile  tribes,  should  see  this  pi-odigious 
blaze,  t)>e  size  of  it  was  meant  to  give  them  an  idea  of  a 
greater  force  than  we  possessed. 

In  one  )>lace,  wliere  we  were  surroimded  by  hills,  witli 
swamps  lying  between  them,  there  seemed  to  be  a  general 
congress  of  wolves,  who  answered  each  other  from  opposit<! 
hills,  in  sounds  the  most  terrific.  Probably  the  terror  which 
all  savage  animals  have  at  fire  was  exalted  into  fury,  by 
seeing  so  many  enemies,  wliom  they  durst  not  attack.  The 
bull  frogs,  tlie  h.arndess,  the  hideous  inhabitants  of  the 
swamps,  seemed  determined  not  to  be  out-done,  and  I'oared 
a  tremendous  bass  to  this  bravura  accomj»animent.  This 
was  almost  too  mudi  for  my  love  of  the  terrible  sublime  : 
some  women,  who  were  our  fellow-travelers,  shru'ked  with 
terror  :  and  finally,  the  horrors  of  that  night  were  ever 
alter  held  in  awful  remembrance  by  all  who  shared  them. 

The  last  night  of  this  eventful  i)ilgrimage,  of  uhich  I  fear 
to  tire  my  readers  by  a  farther  ri'cital,  \va><  i|H'nt  at  Fort 
Bruerton,  then  conunandcd  by  Captain  Mungo  Cami)bell,i 

'Colonel  Mungo  Camiilu-ll  whs  killed  Icadiufj:  on  the  attack  of  Fort 
St.  Auue,  at  the  battle  of  White  i'laius,  Anno  1777. —  Mrs.  Grant, 


\^ 


J  1 


10 

l"S 

le 

^> 
'(1 

^S 
■  of 


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251 


whoso  warm  and  jfciuTous  lioart,  whoso  oiili<fhto!iod  and 
eoniprohoiisivo  mind,  wlioso  social  ([ualitii's  and  public  vir- 
tuos  I  should  delight  to  cotinnoniorato  did  my  liinils  j)onnit  ; 
sutlico  it,  that  he  is  endeared  to  my  reeollection  by  beiiif^ 
tho  first  person  who  ever  supposccl  nio  to  have  amind  eapa- 
bli'  of  culture,  and  I  was  ever  after  distinguished  by  iiis 
partial  notice.  Hero  we  were  detained  two  days  by  a  ]>ro- 
mature  fall  of  snow.  Very  much  disposed  to  be  happy  any 
win  re,  I  was  here  particularly  so.  Our  last  day's  journey, 
which  brou<;ht  us  to  Lake  Ontai'io  and  Fort  Oswego,  our 
destined  abode,  was  a  very  hard  one  ;  we  had  people  going 
before,  breaking  the  ice  with  paddles,  all  the  way. 

All  that  I  had  foreboded  of  long  tasks,  continemont,  etc., 
foil  short  of  the  realit  v.  The  very  doop  snow  <;onfined  us 
all  ;  and  at  any  rate  the  rami)art  or  the  ])arade  would  have 
been  no  favorable  scone  of  imjintvoment  for  me.  One  great 
sourci'  of  entertainment  I  discovered  hero,  was  no  other 
than  the  Old  Testament,  which  during  my  confinement  I 
learned  to  read  ;  till  then  having  done  so  very  imporfe(rtly. 
Tt  was  an  unspeakable  treasure  as  a  story  book,  before  I 
learnt  to  nnike  any  better  use  of  it,  and  bocanie,  by  frequent 
perusal,  indelibly  imprinte<l  on  my  memory.  Wallace  wight, 
and  Welwood's  memoirs  of  the  history  of  Kngland,  wore 
my  next  ac<|uisitions.  Knough  of  egotism,  yet  all  those 
circumstances  contribiited  to  form  that  taste  for  solid  read- 
ing which  first  attracted  the  attention  of  my  invaluablo 
friend. 

I  camiot  <piit  Ontario  without  giving  a  slight  sketch  of 
tho  manner  in  which  it  was  occupied  and  governed  while  I 
was  there  and  afterwards,  were  it  but  to  give  young  soldiers 
a  hint  how  they  may  best  use  their  time  and  resources,  so 
as  to  shun  tho  indolence  and  ennui  they  are  often  liable  to 
in  such  situations.  The  ooth  had  by  this  tiino  accpiired 
several  English  officers  ;  but  with  regard  to  the  men,  it 
might  be  considere<l  as  a  Scoti'h  regiment,  and  was  indeed 


ill 


ft 


'2^2 


M -.Mollis  ov    \N    Amkiutan    1,\1>V 


i 


i!         t 


«>riuinMlIy  sudi.  Ixinu;  v:\is<'<l  1"><  •■'  >»''>  '''^v  m-mis  Itcloi*-, 
in  the  ni'iiili'x'tliotxl  of  Siirliii^;.  Tlu'ii'  w  cic  ^in.ill  <l«'l;u'li- 
nuMits  ill  otluT  forts  ;  ImU  ihc  lmcmIcs)  purl  wrrciii  tlii^, 
fOMuniindcil  li\  M:,j.M  ('iltcrw  Mills  ('olnncl)  I)iiii<;ui  ol 
i,uiitli(>.  I'liliT  liimluT  o\'  the  l.ili'  l-oiil  l>imi;iii  of  (',im|i('r- 
ilown.  lie  w.is  •.\^\  ('\|ii'ri('ii(<'(l  olIictM'.  jiosscs^cl  ol  consi- 
(l(M;iMo  luilil  .UN  si  iciicc.  h'.ii'UNl.  lium.iiH'.  .'mil  jinlicioiis, 
\  el  ol>>-l  iii.iti'.  ;inil  >.ouu'\\  li.il  t^\  :in  hmuorisi  \\illi;il. 
Whoroxoi'  lu'  \\riit  ;i  ics|'<'i)  ■.'.•!(•  'iil>r;ii\  went  wilh  liim. 
'riii>ULih  not  old  111"  \\.\s  u'oiilv.  Mini  WAV  worn.  Mibl  tlicrclon' 
m11o\\m1>1\  i.inird  mI'oiii  iumiix  tomforls  Mini  com  ciiiciici's 
(liMt  ollit'is  fonl<l  no|  w  MirMiilMliU  do.  'I'lic  fori  wms  m  Imi'uc 
|tl;U'i'.  l>iiilt  t'liliri'ly  <^(  cMitli  mikI  ui'omI  loos;  1  nicMii  (lie 
\vm11s  Mild  iMnn»;nts.  tor  llio  l>MrrMiks  wcit'ol  wood.  Miid 
cold  Mild  I'oiiifortloss.  Tlu'  cntt  iiiLi' dow  II  tlic  \ms|  (|iiMiilily 
o['  wood  iisid  ill  this  hiiildiiit;'  liMil.  liowcvcr.  clcMiod  imicli 
of  tlu>  fertile  Liroiiiid  I>y  wliirli  tlio  fort  wms  siinouiulod. 
Tlic  ImKo  Ml>ound('d  with  cvccllout  lish  Mini  VMiiotics  of 
WMtcrfowl,  wliilo  deer  Miiil  cxcrx  kind  of  omiiic  woronn- 
nuTons  in  the  siirri>iiiitlin^  woods.  .\11  these  Md\  MiilMi;'es, 
Innvi'N  er,  were  now  shut  iip  l»y  the  rigors  o  I'  winter.  The 
oHit'ers  w  t're  .ill  \  ery  xomiLi-  men.  Inoiiohl  from  school  or 
eoUcLTe  t<>  the.innv.  ,iiid  Mflerthe  dreadful  spei'imeii  of  w;ir 
wliich  the\  IiMd  met  with  on  their  lirst  onts«'t,  Mt  lii."  lines 
of 'rit'ondcroLiM,  tlie\  h.id  u'one  t hroiiLi'li  mII  |iossil>le  liMrd- 
ships.  .\fter  m  iiiMrdi  up  St.  I.mw  reiu'c.  :ind  then  ihroiioh 
I'MiiMd.-i  here.  ;i  niMich  imleed.  eonsidcriiiLi'  the  scMson,  Miid 
the  new  road,  worthy  the  hero  of  I'nlttiwM.  they  were  stM- 
tioned  in  this  new  hiiilt  liiirrison.  f;ir  from  e\ery  tiMceof 
civili/.Mtion.  riiese  yoimu' soldiers  were,  however,  e\cellenl 
snl>je«"ts   for   tlu-   ft>rininLi'  h.nid  of    .Major   niiiicMii.'      As  I 


'  .McxjiiuliT  nmiciiii.  Ill'  the  .-).')lli  rryiiiii'iit,  nhlaiiii'il  liis  comiiany 
'.2S  Oct.,  IT"),"),  was  urmiioteil  fo  iiinjor  I itiO.  iiml  In  liciil.  cnloncl  17(M. 
He  WHS  at  Fort  Onturin  in  Oct.,  ITOH,  iiiid  retired  Irnm  llieivnny  in 
1773.— .V. 


\i. 


Mkmoihs  nr  AN    Amiuh'VN   L\i«v.  'J.'t'l 


* 
\ 


1 


Ii:i\('  *«:iiil  I'll  ;i  li'iiiici'  nccMsion  ot    nllici^.  il     )lii'\    \\t  if  iml 

iin|tl«i\  cl,  (|i,'\  wclr  iml  s|ii>il(i|,  ;|||<l  \\ll:l(  lilllr  tllt'\  knew 
\\  .IS    ^<l(lt|. 

'I'llc     llliljiil'.  l!\     till'     IIIMllllt'l-     ill    wllirli     Ii('     (H':lli'c|      (llrlll, 

s»M'Iihm|  Id  cMiisiilcr  tlicin  j'-  \\\^  ^>>\\^.  i>r  |iii|tils  ;  mih  mik- 
miolil  <ill  lii'ii  ;m  aii^lcrc  |i.in'iit,  nr  ;i  rinnl  in-^l  niclur  Itiil 
\\\\^  s('iiil)|,iiici'  «'!  '>('\i'rit\  \\;i-  in'ii'-,  ,,ii  \  id  lunii  liis  |iii|iilM 
t  <•  li;il)il  mil  \  I'nn.it  inn.      I'm  I  iiKiiil^  r\  ii  \   (l:i\    nf   iliciicon 

\i\i;ll     I'll  j«>\  llH'llts,    ;|||i|    show  inn-    ('\('r\     IhxII      -.nine    jtHxil      III 

|>;il<'ni,il  r.iii'  :iiii|  Kindin'^^  ;  mII  tliis  wn-^  iirri'ss;ir\  \,<  Ki>i'|i 
I  Ik 'in  w  II  hill  ilin'  liiiiiH.  <  )iil  nj  m''>:ii  i|  In  I  lirii  nw  II  w  I'ir.'iri' 
lie  w.iiilcil  III)  iiiMrc  III  llicir  li>\i'  lli.in  w  .i^-  i  oii'-isii'iii  wiili 
s;ilii(;ir\  Icir  ;  .ind  \i'l  iii.iilr  liiiiisrll  •<u  in'r('ss:ii  \  Inlliiiii. 
lli;it  nuiliinu-  I'miM  lie  sn  icniMr  in  ilicin  ;i'<.  Ii\  mv  iirnlcii 
or  imjirnili'in'i',  in  .ilii'imii'  In  in.  Mr  iik's^ciI  w  ii  Ii  I  lirm.  Iml 
li\<'i|  ill  ;i  Imiisr  nj  liis  n\\n.  I'lii-  \\;is  ;i  \ii\  siii^iiliir 
liiiilijinn    ili\ii|i'i|    inln  I  \\  n   ;i|>,ir(  iii«  iil^  ;   nin    nl    uliicli    \\;is 

!1  Itcil  rnnm.  ill  wllli'll  m;lll\  slnl't'^  rnllinl  |p|;i>  1.  llir  nllirr,  ;| 
lM'r;ikr,'|s(  ir'_^  |>;ir|ii| ,  ;illi|.  ;il  I  lie  SMlllt'  liini'.  ;i  IiImmiv.  Mire 
were  !^|iiIh"<,  i|ii;i<lr;iiil  s,  iii:iI  lirimil  ir.il  in-l  inimni  ■<.  Iliilr^, 
(Iiiinl)  Ix'll^,  ;iii(l  I'lics'^  lin.ini',  ;  Imti',  in  slmii,  \\  ;is  ;i  m;i!_^;i 
/ill*'  nl  iiisi  nii'i  inn  mihI  iimii^rniriil  Im'  l|ii>  inlniii'l's  |iii|>ils, 
(li;il  i^.  I'm-  ;ill  iIm'  Li'.iirisnii.  (< 'niiicliii^  ('ii\l<'r,  u  Im  liml 
imw  jniiH'il  llii'  rc^iiiit'iil,  ;i'^  \iiiiiimi's|  nisiiri,^  wns  nirliiiliil 
ill  I  lii^  nil  III  Iter.)  'I'lii'.  Scvi  lii,iii  1 1  w  riling,  Inr  mhIi  iI  stTiiicd, 
\\;is  ni;iil''  cnlirclv  nl'  wuml.  ;iml  livnl  ii|miii  w  licch  nl'  llic 
SlIIIH'  imih'lilll,  Ki)  lli;||  i(  rnlllij  Itc  li'nin\('il  I'lnin  nlic  jiMil 
of  (lie  |>;ii;ii|('  In  ;iiin|  lice,  ;is  il  rr('i|iiiiil  I  v  \v;is.  Sn  kUkIiI  m 
h'licmt'iil,    w  licrc   tlx'    wiiilfi'^    wiii'   inlfiisrlv    ••n|i|.    \\;i-<   ill 

I'.llfllllllc'l  Ini;!  "nlll\  |i;ltirlll  ;  I  nf  (  ||is,  In  i\\  i'\  cr.  In  Inlinil 
:i  rcinrilx  ;  I  lie  lin.'inis,  wliirli  rnrni.<l  llir  u.ilhnl  hi',  ;i|i;iil 
iiiciil,  lii'iiit^  ('n\ciri|  wilh  ilrci- skins,  ;iml  :i  iimsl  ,iin|i|r 
Ix'arskiii  s|in';i<l  nii  lln  llnnr  lp\  \\;iy  nl'  i';ir|iil,  \\  hm  nnre 
tlir  wiiilir  set  I'lillv  ill.  Oswi'nn  lii'iiiint'  ;i  |M'if<«ii  Sihcri;!  ; 
cut  nil' cviii  iVnin  .-ill  iiili'llii^t'iicc    nl  \vli;i(  w;is  piisHiiij^  ill  ihf 


!,     !^' 


!  4 


■"I 


254 


Memoirs  of  an  Amkuican  Lady. 


world.  I>ut  tliu  major  (li<l  not  allow  this  iiitcrvai  to  waste 
ill  slolli  or  vacancy  ;  lie  seemed  ratlier  to  take  advantajjje 
of  tlie  exchision  of  all  exterior  ol>jects.  His  library  was 
select  and  soldier-like.  It  consiste<l  of  nnmerons  treatises 
on  the  military  art,  ancient  an<l  modern  history, hiojj^raphy, 
etc.,  besides  the  best  autiiors  in  various  sciences,  of  which  I 
onlv   recollect    ireoi;rat)hv   and  the   mathematics.     All   the 

!  such  books  as  suited  their  dif- 


vounif  nu'ii  were  si-t  to  ''ca 


lerent  nicnnat: 


apacities. 


The  subalterns  break- 


fasted with  thci!  >  <i'tin?..uder  in  rotation  everv  dav,  three 
or  four  at    a  tinu  .'•    b'vakfast  he   kept  them,  |)erha))H 

two  hours,  examinin<f  theiii  n  the  subji'ct  of  their  differi'nt 
studies.  Once  a  wi'ck  lu'  had  a  supper  party  for  such  of 
the  captains  as  were  then  in  the  fort  ;  and  once  a  week 
they  entertained  him  in  tlu'  same  mamu'r.  To  these  parties 
such  of  the  subalterns,  as  distinguished  thems(dves  by  dili- 
tjence  and  proficiency,  were  invited.  Whoever  was  negli- 
gent, he  made  the  subji-ct  of  saivasms  so  pointed  at  one 
tinu',  and  at  another  so  ludicrous,  that  there  was  no  enduring 
it.  The  dread  of  sevei'c  |»unislMnent  coidd  not  operate  more 
forcibly.  Yet  he  was  so  just,  so  imjtartial,  so  free  from 
fickleni'ss  and  favoritism,  and  so  attentive  to  their  health, 
their  amusements,  and  their  economy,  that  every  individual 
felt  him  necessary  to  his  cond'oit,  and  looked  u]t  to  him 
as  his  "  guide,  i)hilosopher,  and  friend." 


ill 


(TIAPTKIi  XLVI. 

Benkkit  <»k  Si:i,i:(  1  l{i:Ai>i.\<i  —  IIuntix*;  PLxci'Ksion. 

U  NSl'KAK  AHLK  benefit  and  improvenu'iit  was  derived 
from  the  course  of  reading  1  liave  described,  which,  in  the 
absence  of  other  subjects,  furnished  daily  topics  of  discus- 
sion, thus  impressing  it  nu)re  forcibly  on  the  mind. 


'U 


Memoirs  of  an  Amkrk  an  Lady. 


255 


% 


The  a<l Villi t!i«;i's  of  this  course  of  social  study,  (llrccted 
by  a  iiu'iitoi'  so  respected,  were  such,  tliat  I  have  often 
lieard  it  asserted  that  these  uiifonned  youths  (h'rived  more 
solid  iinitroveineiit  from  it  than  from  all  their  former  edu- 
cation. Keadiiii^  is  one  tliiiit;  ;  hut  they  learned  t(»  think 
and  to  converse.  The  result  of  these  acquirements  serve<l 
to  impress  on  my  mind  what  I  formerly  observed  with 
regard  to  Mathime,  that  a  promiscuous  multitude  of  hooks 
always  within  reach  retards  the  ac(piisitioii  of  useful  know- 
ledge. It  is  like  having  a  great  number  of  ac(piaiiitances 
and  few  friends  ;  one  of  the  consetiuences  of  the  hi*  i-r  is 
to  know  much  of  exterior  appearances,  of  modes  aii  ni..i- 
ncvH,  but  little  of  nature  and  genuine  character.  I)\  iiii;  . -■ 
over  numbers  of  books  without  selection,  in  a  'es  Itory 
manner,  people,  in  the  same  way,  get  a  general  ■v^  .icial 
idea  of  tlu'  varieties  and  nature  of  different  s?'  les,  hut  do 
not  comprehend  or  retain  the  matter  with  the  sai.  i  curacy 
as  tliose  who  have  read  a  few  books,  bv  the  best  authors, 
over  and  over  with  diligent  attention.  I  speak  now  of  those 
one  usually  meets  with  ;  not  of  those  commanding  minds, 
wliose  intuitive  research  sei/A'S  on  everything  w(trth  retain- 
ing, and  rejects  the  rest  as  naturally  as  one  throws  away 
the  rind  when  iK)ssessed  of  the  kernel. 

Our  young  students  got  through  the  winter  pri-tty  well  ; 
and  it  is  particularly  to  be  observed,  that  there  was  no  such 
thing  as  a  quarrel  heard  of  among  thein.  Their  time  was 
spent  in  a  regular  succession  of  useful  pursuits,  which  ]>re- 
vented  them  from  risking  the  dauLfers  that  often  occur  in 
such  places  ;  for,  in  general,  idleness  and  contiiiement  to 
the  same  circle  of  society  produce  such  a  fermentation  in 
the  mind,  and  such  neglect  of  ceremonial  observances,  which 
are  the  barriers  of  civility,  that  <|uarrels  and  (biels  more 
readily  occur  in  such  situations  than  in  any  cither.  Hut 
when  sjiring  drew  near,  this  )»ateriial  commander  found  it 
extremely  ditHcult  to  rein  in  the  imi)atience  of  the  youths 


r;-^ 


250 


Mkmoius  of  an  Amkripan  Lady, 


to  plunge  into  flic  woods  to  Iniiit.  'riicrc  were  sucli  risks 
to  cncoiintc  r,  of  nnknown  morasses,  wolves,  and  hostile 
Indians,  that  it  was  (hmi;eroiis  to  indid_LCi'  them.  At  last, 
when  the  tlays  began  to  lengthen,  in  the  end  td"  l''el»rnary, 
ji  chosen  party,  on  whose  liarilihoo(l  and  endnranee  the 
major  eonld  depi-nd,  were  |»ermitte<|  to  go  on  a  regidar 
hunting  excursion  in  tlu'  Indian  fashion.  This  was  heconu' 
desirahle  on  difVerent  accounts,  the  garrison  having  been 
for  sometime  hel'ore  entirely  subsisted  on  salt  provisions, 
ere  out  of  the  (pu'stion,  there  not    being 


Sh 


leep  :mil  cows  w 


one  of  either  within  forty  miles,     A  Captain  Ilamilt(tn,  wlio 
as  apracticid   wood  ranger,  comm.anded   this  party,  who 


w 

were  clad  almost  like  Indians,  and  arme  I  in  the  s.ime 
niamier.  They  were  acc(»mpanied  by  a  detachnu'iit  of  ten 
men  ;  some  of  whom  ha\ing  lieen  prisoners  with  the  Indians, 
were  more  particidarly  (|ualilie<l  to  engage  in  this  adventtire. 
They  were  allowed  four  or  lixc  days  to  stay,  and  providi'd 
Avith  a  I'ompetent  su|»ply  of  bear-skins,  blankets,  etc.,  to 
make  theii*  projecteil  wigwams  comfortable.  The  allotted 
time  expired,  and  we  all  begun  to  (piarrcd  with  our  salt 
provisions,  and  to  long  for  the  promised  venison.  Another, 
and  yet  aintther  day  passed,  when  our  longing  was  entirely 


absorbi'd  in  the  aiiitrelu'nsic 


>ns  we  began  to  entei'tain. 


\ 


o- 


lunteers  now  presenti'<l  thenistdves  to  go  in  search  of  the 
lost  hunters  ;  but  those  ofTers  wen',  for  good  reasons,  re- 
jected, and  evei'v  <'ountenance  began  to  lengthen  with  fears 
we  were  unwilling  to  express  to  each  other.  The  maj(U-, 
conjecturing   the   hunters   might  have   been    bewildei'cd  in 


tl 


lose  endles:  w 


Ik 


,'o<nls,  ordered  the  cannon  to  be  tired  at  noon. 


and  again  at  midnight,  for  theii"  directi(»n.  On  the  eightli 
day,  when  suspense  was  wouiul  up  to  the  highest  pitch,  the 
party  were  seen  .approaching,  and  they  entere(l  in  tnunn)li, 
loaded  with  syh  an  sp(»ils  ;  among  which  were  many  strange 
bii'ds  and  lu'asts.  I  recollect,  as  the  chief  objects  of  my 
admiratictn,  a  prodigious  swan,  a  wild  turkey,  and  a  young 


MK.MdIHS    OF    AN    A  M  KIUCAN    TiAMY 


257 


I»ort!ii|»iii(',      N'cnisnii    !il)uiiinl('<l,  juid    (he  sii|i|>ly  was    holli 
plentiful  aixl  .sciisonaMc. 

"  S|»i'lii<r  rctiinicfl  with  its  sliowtTs,"  ami  converted  onr 
Siberia,  frozen  ami  forlorn,  ami  shut  out  from  human  inter- 
course, into  an  uncultui-eil  Kilen,  rich  in  all  the  majestic 
charms  of  suhllinescenerv,  ami  itrln\a'val  heaut  v  ami  fertilitv. 


It 


IS  ni  her  central  retreat,  anihlst  the  niinhtv  waters  of  the 


west,  that  nature  seems  in  solitary  urantleur  to  have  choseu 
her  most  favored  hahltatioii,  reimtte  froui  th 


e  ocean,  wliose 


waxes  hear  the  restless  sous  of   Kurope  on  their  \ova^es  of 
dlscoverv,  invasion,  and  intrusi<ui.     Tl 


le  ci>as 


fs  of  A 


nuMica 


ar<'  indeed  coin|»arat ivel y  poor,  except  merely  on  the  haidis 
of  i^reat  rivers,  though  the  universal  veil  of  ever<,n'eens  con- 
ceals nuu'h  sterility  from  strangers,  lint  it  is  in  the  depth 
of  those  forests,  and  arouml  thesi-  si-a-like  lakes,  tliat  nature 


IS  been    n 


rofu 


selv 


kind. 


am 


1    discovers   more  charms  the 


more  her  shady  veil  is  willidi-awn  from  her  noble  featui'cs. 
If  ever  the  fond  illusions  of  poets  au<l  philosophei's  —  thai 


Atalantis,  that   new  Arcatlia,  that  safe  and 


<ereiu' 


I't 


opia, 


where  ideal  (piiet  and  happiness  have  so  often  chai-med  in 
theoi-y  ;  if  e\ci- this  dream  of  social  bliss,  in  sonu'  new-planted 
rc'{^ion,  is  to  be  realized,  this  unrivale<l  scene  of  <frandeur 
and  fertility  bids  fairest  to  be  the  ]»laceof  its  abode.  Here 
the  climate  is  serene  and  ecpial  ;  the  rii^'orous  winters  that 
brace  the  fi-auu,  and  call  forth  the  powi-rs  of  mind  and  bodv 
to  ])rej)are  for  its  approach,  are  succeeded  by  a  spring  so 
rapid,  the  exuberance  of  \crnal  bloom  bursts  forth  so  sud- 
denly, after  the  disa|)j»earance  of  th<»se  deep  snows,  which 
cherish  and  fructify  the  earth,  that  the  change  seems  like  a 
magical  delusion. 

The  major  saw  every  one  enrapture(l,  like  i)eople  su<ldenlv 
let  out  of  prison  ;  and  the  whole  garrison  sei'UU'd  ripe  for 
rniming  wild  through  the  woimIs,  in  pursuit  of  iniunnerable 
birds  of  jtassage,  which  had  conii'  on  the  wings  of  the  genial 
south  to  resume  their  wonted  abodes  by  the  great   lakes, 


f  .'I 


258 


Mkmoihs  of  an  Amkuican  Lady. 


wlu'iv   they    hiitcli    aiiioii^   Hwamps    and    islands   without 
niinibcT. 


CIIAITKK   XLVII. 

(TARnKMN'ii  AM)  Aciiucri/ir  UK — Uk'ukn  of  tiik  Aitiior 

TO  Al.llANV. 

J.IIK  major  rcjoicoil  in  tlu'ir  joy  without  havini;  the  least 
intention  of  indnltjinf^  them  either  in  tlie  <;ay  idleness,  or 
the  wild  sports  which  the  season  inspired.  lie  liad  heen 
their  Mentor  all  winter,  and  was  now  al>ont  to  eomtnenee 
their  Ai^rieola. 

When  j^ivinjj;  an  account  of  the  t^ai'rison  I  should  have 
mentioned  a  company  or  two,  I  do  not  remember  which,  of 
euf^ineers,  the  otKcers  of  which,  from  their  superi(»r  intelli- 
gence, were  a  great  ac<|uisition  to  the  society.  To  these 
friendly  coadjutors  the  nnijorcomminiicated  his  plans,  which 
they  readily  adopted.  Among  his  cojicealed  stores  were 
Indian  corn,  peas  and  beans  in  abundance,  and  all  kinds  of 
gardi'U  seeds.  Before  the  season  opened  he  had  arrangiMl 
with  tliese  engineers  the  jtlan  of  a  largi'  garden,  bowling- 
gi'een,  ami  enclosed  field,  for  the  use  of  these  and  all  suc- 
ceeding troops.  Tliis  was  a  bold  attempt  when  one  con- 
siders tljat  you  might  as  well  look  for  a  horse  in  \'enice  as 
in  Oswego.  No  such  animal  had  ever  penetrated  so  far. 
A  single  cow,  belonging  to  the  sutler,  was  the  only  tame 
creature,  dogs  and  cats  excepted,  to  be  seen  here.  Hut 
there  was  a  great  stock  of  palisadoes,  which  had  been  cut 
for  the  garrison,  lying  ready  ;  and  their  pioneers  and  work- 
inen  still  remaining  there,  the  new  erection  being  scarce 
complete.  The  new  project  was  re(!eived  with  "curses  not 
loud  but  deep."  Were  they  to  go  all  out  to  ])lod  and 
drudge  for  others,  who  would  neither  pay  nor  thank  them  ; 


*R' 


Mkmhihs  of  an  Amkhk  an  Lady. 


250 


f(»r,  at  most,  tlicy  iiiixuftl  tlicy  slioiiM  stay  niily  a  year,  arnl 
rt-ap  very  litllr  imlcctl  (»!'  tlic  fniii  of  their  labors. 

Till' major's  |»laiis,  liuwcvcr,  wcrtMlccn  lai<l  ;  matters  wore 
a  peaceaMe  aspect  ;  ami  tlier*-  was  no  knowing  Imw  Ion;; 
tlie_\  ni'iLrlil  remain  there.  M\i'e|it  shouting;  in  the  wonils, 
or  lishiiii;,  they  were  without  Imsiness,  jtleasiire,  or  varie<l 
Hoeiety.  H"  I'earid  the  men  wuiihl  dej^'enerate  into  savaLto 
wihlness,  and  ilieir  otlieers  into  that  sordid  indiirereiieo  which 
is  too  often  the  conse(|uence  of  heiiij;,  at  the  early  season 
«»f  life,  without  an  aim  or  a  |Mirsnit.  lie  wished  to  promote 
a  common  interest,  and  lialnts  social  and  domestic.  Ho 
wisher!  too,  that  they  mi<xht  make  some  advantage  of  tills 
tcmporarv  hanishment,  to  lav  l>v  a  little  store  to  eke  out 
tlieir  pittance  when  they  returneil  to  more  expensive  placi'S  ; 
in  short,  he  wisheil  to  i;ive  them  hahitsof  reifular  economy, 
which  should  hi'  useful  to  them  ever  after.  He  sliowt'd 
them  his  |»lans  ;  <;ave  each  of  them  a  department  in  over- 
seeing the  execution  of  them  ;  and,  for  that  purpose,  t-ach 
had  so  many  men  allotted  to  his  command.  He  made  it 
obvious  to  them,  tli.it  as  the  summer  was  merely  to  he  oc- 
cupied in  tiardening  an<I  the  chase,  the  parade  of  military 
dress  was  hoth  exjx'iisive  and  uimecessary.  In  the  store 
was  a  great  surplus  of  soldier's  coats.  These  had  been  sent 
from  Europe  to  supply  the  regiment,  which  had  been  greatly 
diminished  in  number  by  the  fatal  lines,  and  succeeding 
hard  inarch.  The  inaj<»r  ordered  the  regimental  tailor  to 
fit  these  us  a  kind  of  short  undress  frock  to  the  otticers,  to 
whom  correspondent  little  round  h.'its,  vi-ry  dilTereiit  from 
their  regimental  ones,  wi-re  allotted.  Thus  e(|uipped,  and 
animated  bv  the  spirit  of  him  who  ruled  their  minds  with 
un(o>nscious  yet  unlimite«l  sway,  these  young  Cincinnuti  set 
out,  nothing  loath,  on  their  horticultural  enterprise.  All 
difficulties  soon  vanished  before  them  ;  and,  in  a  very  few 
days,  they  became  enthusiastic  in  the  jtursnit  of  this  new 
object.     That    large   and   fertile  portion  of  ground,  wluch 


I'i 


t 


200 


Mkakurs  of  a\  AMKKirAN  Lady. 


.    ' 


liiid  been  ('Icarcd  of  the  tiinlxT  with  \sliicli  the  garrison  was 
l)uilt,  was  ifi\»'ii  ill  charm'  to  a  sai^acioiis  (»l»l  scrtycant,  who 
knew  soinciliiiiir  of  Imsbandrv,  ant!  who  very  soon  had  it 
I'liciosed  in  a  palisade,  diiji;  ii|»,  and  i»Iantt'(l  with  lieans, 
peas,  and  Indian  corn,  the  food  of  future  \n'^s  and  poultry. 
To  the  oflicers  more  interi-stini^  tasks  were  allotted.  There 
was  more  than  one  <rar(leiier  found  in  the  reiiiiiieiit  ;  and 
here  the  eiii;iiieers  and  jiioneeis  were  jtai'tieularly  usi-ful. 
'IMie  iiiaj(»r,  who  hail  predestiiu'd  a  favorite  s|iot  for  his 
aiii[»h'  t;ar<len,  had  it  partially  cleared,  by  cuttini;'  the  winter 
lirini;  of  the  i,^'irrisoii  from  it.  W'iiere  a  mull»erry,  a  wild 
plum,  or  cherry  tree  was  j»eculiarly  well-shaped  or  larjjfe,  he 
iiiarketl  it  to  remain,  as  well  as  some  lofty  jilaiies  and  chest- 
nuts ;  and  when  the  shrubs  were  i^riiblii'd  up  in  spriiiL:;,  hi' 
left  many  beautiful  ones  pi'ciiliar  to  the  country.  To  see 
the  sudden  cri'ation  of  this  garden,  one  would  think  the 
genius  of  the  jdace  obeyed  tlu'  wand  of  an  enchanter  :  but 
it  is  not  every  gardener  who  can  em|>loy  some  hundred  men. 
A  summer  house  in  a  tree,  a  lish-poiitl,  and  a  gravel-walk, 
were  finished  before  the  einl  of  May,  l)i'sides  having  com- 
mitted to  the  earth  great  (piantities  of  e\('i-y  vegetable  i>ro- 
duction  known  in  our  ln-st  gardens.  Tlu'se  vegetables 
throve  beyoiul  bi-lief  or  example.  'I'he  size  of  the  cabbages, 
the  cucumbers,  and  melons,  pnxbiced  here  was  incredible. 
Tlu'V  used,  in  the  following  veai's,  to  send  them  down  to 
astonish  us  at  Albany.  On  the  continent  they  were  not 
(Mpndled,  except  in  anothei'  military  garden,  which  emula- 
tion had  produced  at  Niagara.  The  major's  economical 
views  were  fully  answered.  l*igs  and  poultry  In  abundance 
were  procured,  and  siippoitctl  by  tlu'ir  Indian  corn  crop  ; 
they  even  procured  cows  and  made  hay  in  tlu'  islands  to 
fei'd  them.  The  provisions  allowed  tlu'in  by  the  public 
alforded  a  sutlicieiicy  of  flour,  butler,  and  salt  meat,  as  also 
rice.  The  lake  alVorilcd  (piantities  of  i-xccllciit  fish,  much 
uf  which  the  soldier^;  dried   for  winter  c<»nsiimption  ;  and 


if> 


I 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady, 


261 


ii 


I 


fruit  and  vcifctablt's,  tlu'V  had  in  ]in»fiisit)ii,  from  tlu'ir 
<j;ardciis.  In  sliort,  they  all  HvimI  in  a  kind  of  ruuoli  luxury, 
and  were  iMial»U'd  to  save  niucli  of  tlicir)»ay.  Tlic  cxaniitlc 
spread  to  all  tlic  line  of  forts  ;  sudi  is  tlu-  jiowcr  of  one 
a«'tiv('  liberal  mind  |»ursuin<;'  its  ohjeet  with  unde\  iatintjf 
steadiness. 

Wo  are  now  about  to  leave  Ontario  ;  but  ]»erlia)ts  the 
reader  is  not  willing  to  take  a  final  farewell  of  Colonel  l)un- 
ean.  The  Indian  war  then,  which  broke  (tut  after  the  peaee 
of  1  7<i'_',  oceasi(tne(|  the  detention  of  the  reijiment  in  Ameri- 
ca till  lT(i");  and  duiint;  all  that  time  this  [laternal  com- 
mantler  continue(l  with  six  companies  of  the  r«'<j:iment  at 
Ontario,  improviiii;  both  the  soil  and  the  ir,liabita!\ts.  He 
then  returni'd  with  the  ri'tfiment,  of  which  lu'  was  become 
lieutenant-colonel,  to  Irelaml.  Soon  aftci'  he  letired  from 
the  army,  and  took  U|)  his  ri'sidence  on  the  family  estate  of 
T.undie,  haviuL:  previously  married  the  woman  of  his  heart, 
who  ha<l  en<;a<i;e<l  his  early  affections,  and  correspondetl 
with  him  durin<;  his  lonsr  absence.  Here  he  was  as  happy 
as  a  shattervil  invalid  could  be,  highly  respectetl  by  the 
neiijhbitrhood,  and  fre<|uently  visited  by  his  old  pupils,  who 
still  ri'i:;arde(l  him  with  warm  attachment.  He  died  child- 
h  ss,  and  was  succeeded  by  the  admiral,  on  whose  merit  it 
is  needless  to  expatiate  ;  for  who  has  for<f<»tten  the  \ict(M" 
of  ("aniMer'lown  V 

A  company  of  the  o.'ith  was  tliis  summer  ordeiiMl  to  oc(U])y 
the  fort  at  Albiiny.  This  was  connnan<letl  by  a  sauacious 
\eteran  called  Winepress.  .My  fatherdid  not  exactly  belonji; 
to  this  company,  but  he  wishe<l  t<»  retui'u  !<-  .\li)any,  wlu-re 
he  was  known  and  likeil  :  and  the  colonel  tliouii'ht,  fiom  his 
sti'adiiiess  and  experienci',  he  wo\dd  be  p;irticularly  useful 
in  paying  the  detache<l  parlies,  and  puchasing  for  the  ri'gi- 
nient  such  stores  as  they  miL''lit  ha\t'  occasion  for.  NN'e  si-t 
out  in  our  b.iti'aux  ;  and  I  consoled  myself  for  not  oidy 
lea\in<j;   Oswego,    liut    what    was    ncarci-   mv  heart,   a  tamo 


'21(1 


Ml 


202 


Mkmoihs  of  an  American  Lady, 


]>nrtriili;('  ami  six  |>i<>tM)ns,  by  tho  lioposof  waiKlcriiitxtliroiiijli 
Wood  ci'cck,  ami  sl('('])iiiix  iti  tlic  wooils.  In  both  tlioso 
|»arti('iilars  I  was  (lisa|t|Miinti'(l.  Our  boats  bciiii;  liijlitcr, 
made  better  way,  ami  we  were  received  in  new  sellleinents 
a  little  distant  from  tlm  river.  The  most  iin|)<trtant  oe(nir- 
reiiee  to  me  happened  the  first  day.  On  that  eveninuj  wo 
returneij  to  l''ort  Urnerton  ;'  I  found  Captain  Campbell 
(leliLihteil  with  my  readintr,  my  memory,  and  my  profound 
a<lmiration  of  the  friendship  betwixt  Oavid  and  Jonathan. 
We  staid  the  most  of  the  next  day.  I  was  much  captivated 
with  the  cop]>er-plates  in  an  e(lition  of  Paradise  I.ost,  which, 
on  that  account,  he  had  u;iven  me  to  admire.  \N'hen  I  was 
comimj:  away  lie  said  to  me,  "  Keep  that  book,  my  dear 
child  ;  I  fori'tel  that  the  time  will  cou)e  when  you  will  take 
pleasure  in  it."  Ne\i'r  did  a  present  produce  such  joy  .'ind 
iXratilude.  I  thouM-ht  I  was  dreamini;,  and  looked  at  it  a 
hiindreil  times,  before  I  could  lielieve  anythiniT  f<<>  line  w:is 
I'cally  my  own.  I  trie<|  |o  read  it  and  almost  cried  with 
vexation  when  I  foiin<l  1  could  not  umU-rstand  it.  At  leutjth 
I  (piitted  it  in  despair  ;  yet  always  said  to  myself,  I  shall 
be  wiser  next  vear. 


/ 


1 


ciiArrKi;  XL\iir. 

.Maiiamk's  I'AMii.v  AMiSixii'iv  I  )i:s(  i:iiii:i». 

1  III''-  next  year  (17')-')  came,  and  found  nu' at  Albany  ;  if 
not  wisei'.  more  kuowini;.  .\:j:ain  i  was  shut  up  in  a  fort, 
solemn  and  solitary  ;  I  had  no  companion,  and  was  lu-ver 
allowed   to  Ljo  out,  except    with    my  inothei-,   and   that    was 


'  l"'nrt  UnwcrtuM  was  one  ni  tin-  line  el'  Knyl'iHl'  fnrtiticatioiiH  between 
Oswi^fo  and  tin-  MdliuwU  valley, Hitiiatrd  nu  tln'  (slmie  of  ()iH'i<la  outlet, 
upiMisile  tlie  preHciit  villain-  uf  Hffwcrloii,  ill  iiilicH  north wcHt  I'roiii 
Allmiiv.—  M. 


t 

1 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


203 


/. 


1 


very  seldom  Indeed.  All  the  fine  forenoons  I  sat  and 
sewed  ;  and  when  others  went  to  play  in  the  eveninij,  I 
was  very  often  sent  up  to  a  laru;e  waste  i-ooin.  to  ^et  a  long 
task  by  heart  of  soniethni<^  very  grave  ;ind  re|tulsive.  In 
this  waste  room,  however,  lay  an  old  tattt-red  dictionary, 
Hailey's  I  think,  whieh  proved  a  treasni-e  to  mi'  ;  the  very 
few  books  we  had,  being  all  religious  or  military.  I  h;i<l 
returned  to  my  Milton,  whieh  I  c-onned  so  industriously, 
that  I  got  it  almost  by  heart,  as  far  as  I  went  ;  yet  took 
care  to  go  no  farther  th;in  1  understood.  To  make  out  this 
point,  wlu'u  any  one  enconniged  me  by  speaking  kimlly  to 
me,  I  was  sure  to  ask  tlu'  nu-aning  of  sonu'  wui-d  or  phrasi'  ; 
and  when  I  found  |»eople  were  not  .-it  all  willing  or  able  to 
gratify  me,  I  at  length  had  recourse  to  mv  waste  room  and 
tattered  dictionary,  which  1  found  :i  perpetual  fountain  of 
knowledge.  ('onse<piently  the  waste  room,  foi-nu-rly  a 
gloomy  prison,  which  1  thought  of  with  horror,  became 
now  the  scene  of  all  my  enjoyment  ;  and  the  nionu-nt  I 
was  dismissed  from  my  task,  I  Hew  to  it  with  anticipated 
delight  ;  for  iheri'  were  mv  treasure,  Milton  and  the  ra<'-<red 
dictionary,  which  was  now  becdine  tlu'  light  i>\'  mv  eves.  I 
studied  the  dictionary  with  indefatigable  diligence  ;  which 
I  began  now  to  consider  as  very  entertaining.  I  was  ex- 
trenu'ly  sorry  fur  the  fallen  angels,  di'eply  interested  in 
their  speeidu's,  and  so  well  ac<piainti'd  with  their  nauu's, 
that  I  I'ouhl  have  called  the  I'oll  of  them  with  :dl  the  ease 
imaginable.  Tinu'  run  nn,  1  was  eight  years  old,  autl  (piite 
uiu'ducate(l,  e\t-ept  reading  and  plain-work  ;  when  company 
came  I  was  considered  as  in  the  way,  and  sent  up  to  my 
waste  room  ;  but  hei'e  lay  my  whole  pleasure,  for  1  had 
m-ither  «'nmpanions  nor  amusement.  it  was,  howe\er, 
talkecl  of,  that  I  should  go  to  a  couxciit,  at  Trois  IJivieres, 
in  Canada,  where  se\('r;d  oflicers  had  sent  their  dauLfhters 
to  be  educated. 

The  fame  of  .Vunt  Schuvler  every  now  :ind  then  readied 


^  I 


V  :t 


ll 


li  t 


i 


;  I  •- 

;  .      ... 


264 


Mkmoius  of  an  American  Lady. 


my  t'ars,  and  sunk  deep  in  my  mind.  To  sec  licr  I  tlitrnj^lit 
was  a  happiiicss  too  i^ri-al  I'oi'  me  ;  and  I  was  conliniially 
drawini;  picfiircs  of  lier  to  myself.  .Meanwliile  tlie  17th 
iv<:;iiru  at  airi\('(l  ;  :ind  a  paity  of  tliem  took  possession  of 
(lie  fort.  Duiint^  this  interim,  peace  liad  l»een  |irochiinuMl  ; 
and  the  r).")th  regiment  were  under  onh-rs  for  IJritain. 

.My  father,  not  heinu;  satisfied  witii  the  sini^le  apart- 
ment alhttted  to  him  l»y  tlii'  new  comers,  reiiiovcMl  to 
the  town  ;  where  a  friend  of  his,  a  Scotch  merchant,  <:;ave 
him  a  htdj^inij  in  his  own  liouse,  next  to  that  very  .Ma<hamo 
Sciiiiyler  wlio  liad  heeii  so  h)nij  my  daily  thonuhts  and 
nightly  dreams.  We  had  not  hi'cn  h>nLi'  tliere  when  aunt 
heard  tluit  my  fatlu'r  was  ;i  nood,  ]ilain,  ujiritiiit  man, 
without  jirctensions,  liut  \cry  well  principled.  She  sent  a 
married  lady,  the  wife  of  her  fa>(irite  nephew,  who  resid'il 
with  her  at  the  tinu",  to  ask  w-  to  sjiend  the  evt-niu!';  '.vil'i 
her.  I  think  I  have  not  hcen  on  anv  oi-casion  moie 
astonished,  than  when,  with  no  litth'  awe  and  !!i;'il  nn*  '..  I 
canu'  into  the  presence  of  Madame.  She  w  ts  sitting  ;  ;ii"<i 
tilled  a  ufreat  chair,  from  which  she  sehh  .u  moved.  ;!'\' 
aspect  was  composed,  ;ind  her  manner  .<nv]\  av  w  .  at  iiist, 
nioi'c  calculated  to  ins]ii->  r"^pect,  than  condiate  alVeclou. 
Not  jia\  iui;  (he  smallest  ;-«oli. 'i  u'e  alxMit  what  people 
thought  of  hci',  and  '"aviuL""  her  ni'i  1  li^eu'/rally  occup'i'd 
with  matters  of  weiiihty  conc^  ■...  li,  iirst  expression  of  hi'i 
kindness  seeuu^l  rather  a  lofty  eourtcsy,  than  attracti\e 
afTahility  ;  hut  shi'  shone  out  hy  deni-ees  ;  an<l  shi'\\a.<  sure 
eventually  to  please  every  oru'  worth  pleasinL^,  licr  conversa- 
tion was  so  rich,  so  various,  so  infoianinLj  :  evervthinix  she 
said  l)(U-c  such  a  stamp  of  reality  ;  her  character  had  such 
a  Lri'''i>^p  ill  il.  licr  expressions  not  from  art  and  study,  hut 
from  the  clear  perceptions  of  her  sound  and  str<inLr  mind, 
were  powerful,  distinct,  and  exactly  adapted  to  the  occasion. 
YiV\  saw  her  lliou<j,lits  as  they  occiil't'cd  to  in  r'  irdnd,  with- 
out the  usual   bias  risiiiLT  from  I'ither   a  fear  to   olTend,  or  a 


i  I 


T    f 


Mk.muiks  of  an  Amkiucan  Lady. 


21)5 


wish  to  ]>l(';is(',  Tliis  w;is  one  of  the  sccri'ts  in  wliicli  lay 
the  siiigiihir  j)oNvt'i- .)i'  Iut  cKnvcrsalioii.  NVIu-ii  ordinary 
|»('o|»I('  s|)»'ak  to  you,  your  iitiiid  waiidcis  in  scarcli  ol"  the 
motives  that  |»roni])t  their  discourse,  or  the  views  and  |tre- 
jnt'.iccs  which  hi.-.s  it  ;  wiieii  those  who  excite  (and  perhaps 
solicit)  adtniralion  talk,  nou  ai'c  secret Iv  askinti;  voui'sell' 
whether  they  mean  to  inl'orm,  or  da/./le  you  All  this 
interior  canvass  vanished  hei'ore  the  evident  truth  and  im- 
studied  ease  of  aunt  s  discourse.  ( )n  a  nearer  knowlednt', 
too,  you  found  she  was  nun-h  nn)re  intent  to  serve,  than 
please  you,  and  too  much  engrossed  l»v  her  eiidi'avors  to  do 
so,  to  stop  :ind  look  round  fo|-  your  jfratitude,  which  slu' 
lieeded  just  as  little  as  your  admiration.  In  ^hort,  she  in- 
fornu'd,  eidiifhtene<l,  and  served  you,  without  levyiuLt  on 
you  any  t  rihule  whatever,  cvcept  t  he  information  you  could 
give  in  return.  I  descrihc  her  appearance  as  it  then  struck 
nu'  ;  and,  once  for  all,  her  manners  and  conversatiou,  as  I 
tlntUii'lit  of  them  when  1  was  older  and  knew  helter  how  to 
<listinu;uish  and  appreciate'.  Everything  ahout  her  was 
calcidated  to  increase  the  impression  of  respect  and  admira- 
tion ;  which,  from  the  earliest  dawn  of  reflection,  1  had 
been  taught  to  enterlain  for  her.  Her-  house  was  the  most 
s|)acious  and  Ix'st  furiushed  I  had  ever  entered.  The  family 
pictures,  and  scripture  paintings,  wer«'  to  me  p.irt iculariy 
awl'ul  and  impressive.  I  compai'e<l  them  to  the  models 
which  h.ad  l»efoi-e  existeci  iu  my  imagination,  .Mud  w;:>.  de- 
lighte(|  or  mortilied,  .as  I  found  t  hey  <lid  or  did  i  ii'si'inide. 
them. 

The  family  with  which  she  w:is  then  surri'  iiide«l,  aw.ak- 
ene(|  ;i  more  than  common  inti'ri'st.  Her  fa>  ite  nephew, 
the  eldest  son  of  her  nnich  lte!ov«'d  si^ti  ,  had,  I>v  his 
father's  dc>i re,  entered  into  partnership  in  reat  connner- 
eial  house  in  New  Vork.  Smillen  with  lie  unconnnon 
l»e;vuty  of  a  young  lady  of  sexcnieeii,  from  Khoile  Island, 
lie  had  married  her  without  wailing  for  theiousi'Ul  of  his 

34 


I 


i 


I 


i     i 


200 


^fK-MOIUS    OF    AN    AmI'.UTCAN    LaDY. 


n'l.'itions.  llii'l  lie  lived  in  Alhiiny,  mimI  (■(tTiiicclcMl  liinisclf 
with  one  <it"  liis  fi'llttw  citizens,  Ureil  n|»  in  I'nie-.il  siniplieitv, 
this  step  inii^lit  have  hecn  easily  Lfol  t>ver.  I>ut  an  expens- 
ive and  elcLTant  style  ol'  livini^  heynn  alrea<ly  t(i  take  phiee 
in  New  York  ;  which  was,  from  the  resith-nce  of  tlie  i^o- 
vernor  and  c(»niinan(h'r  in  chief,  lieccinie  tin-  seat  nl'  a  little 
conrt.  The  lady  whom  I'hilip  had  nianied,  was  of  a  family 
orisxiiially  Scutch  :  and  derived  her  descent  at  no  great  dis- 
tance from  one  of  the  nohlest  families  in  that  country.' 
Uav,  wittv,  and  verv  enu:a<'in!'\  IicIovcmI  and  indulu'ed,  bevond 
measure,  l>y  a  fond  hiishand,  wlio  was  Lfcnerii  and  eood- 
natnreil  to  excess,  tliis  yonny  heauty  became  "the  ylass  of 
fashion,  and  the  ttioidil  of  form.'"  And  the  house  of  this 
amiable  couple  was  the  resort  of  all  that  was  i^ay  and  elo- 
Lfant,  anil  the  centre  of  attraction  to  stranjjers.  The  mayor, 
who  was  a  jierson  sinyularly  judicious,  and  most  imjtartial 
in  the  alVection  which  he  distril)Ute(|  among  his  large  family, 
saw  charly  that  the  young  people  trusted  too  much  to  the 
wuillli  he  was  known  to  possess,  and  had  got  into  a  very 
expi'usiv  style  of  li\  ing  ;  which,  -n  examining  their  afVairs, 
he  tlitl  n<it  think  likely  to  bv  long  supp(U'ted  by  tlu'  profits 
of  the  busin«'ss  in  wlii.  h  liis  sou  was  engage*!.  The  proba- 
ble couse(|nence  of  a  failure,  he  saw,  would  so  far  involve 
him  as  to  injure  hi  >  I'U  n  fauiiiv  :  (his  he  pre\ cntcMl.  Peace 
was  di'.ily  expecteil  .  and  the  ■.  "ry  existence  <if  the  busiiu'ss 
in  which  he  was  engam  d,  de)»ended  on  the  armv  ;  which 
his  hous(^  was  wont  to  fuinisi)  with  everything  necessary. 
lie  clearly  foresaw  the  withdnwing  of  this  army  ;  and  that 
the  habits  of  open  hospitality  and  expeiisixe  li\ing  would 
remaii\,  when  the  sourees  of  their  presrut  supplies  wer(! 
dried  up.  He  insisteil  on  his  si.u's  entireiy  <piitting  this 
line,  and  retiring  to  Albany.  He  loa.le<l  a  shi|t  on  his 
own  account  for  the  W't  st    Indies,  ami  sent  the  young  nuui, 

'Earl  of  CriiwtonlV.— J/r».  Grant. 


i. 


0^ 


4. 


>ri:M(»iRS  OF  AX   A.mvf.f^Ay  L\DY. 


iit;7 


i 


<»>k 


r 


!n  siiiKTciirj^o,  to  tlis|)(»si'  of  tlic  ladiiij^.     As  iKHisc-kt'cpiiiij; 

^vas  givt'ii  ii|i  ill  Xi'W  \'(trk,  .-iikI  not  yet  rcsiimcil  in  Alhaiiy, 

this  v<nin<(  civaturt'  lia<l  oiilv  the  option  of  ri'tuniiiiif  to  tlic 

lai'ixti  family  slic  had  h'ft,  or  i^oiiij^  to  her  fathiT-ni-law's. 

Aunt   Srhiiyh'r,  I'vcr   <;;«'n('i-oiis  ami   consiih-rMtc,  had   every 

aUowance  to  make  for  the  hiu,ii   spirit   and  tine   feelins^s  of 

this  i;ne\|»erieiKHMl  yoiiiiij;  creature;  and  invited   lier,  witli 

her  little   dauLjliti'i,  to  remain    with  her  till   her   hiishand's 

return.      XothiiMj;    eoidd  lie  more   ]»leasiiiif  than  to   witness 

the  maternal  leiideriiess  and  deliciile  cojilidciKu',  which  ap- 

jie.iied  in  the  hehavior of  .MadaiiU'  to  this  new  inmate,  whose* 

tine  countenance  seemed   animated  with    the  li\ cliest   i^rati- 

tuile,    and    the    utmost    solii-ituih'    to     pleasi'    her    i-excretl 

iH'iiefactress.     The  chiM  was  a  creature  not  to  he  seen  with 

indilVereiice.     The  heaiity  ami  understanding' that  appearetj 

*"ull   blown  in  her  mother  seemed  Iniddinji,-  with  the  loveliest 

]>romise  in  tlu'  yo  iul;;  Catalina  ;  a  child  whom,  to  this  day, 

I  cannot  ri'collect    without  an  emotion     !'  tenderness.     She 

was  then  ahoiit  thn-t'  yea. old.      Hesi.ies  these  interest iiiLf 

stranjrers,  there   was  a  ^rand-niece   whom  slu    had  In-oimht 

up.     Such    was   her  iumily   when  1    first    knew    it.      In  the 

course  of  the  c\ ciiin'j,',  dreams  lie^an  to  he  talkeil  of  ;  and 

everyone   in    turiijiave    their  opinion    with   rci^.-iril    to  that 

wonderful  nxxle,  in  which  the  mind  acts  indepi-mlent  of  the 

senses,  iissertiuLj  its  immateiial  nature  in  a  manner  the  most 

conclusive.      1  musi'd  and  listenetl,   till  at    leiiiflh  the  spirit 

of  (piotation  (which  very  I'arly  heujiiii   lo  haunt   me)  moved 

me  lo  repeat,  from  Paradise   Lost, 

"  VVlifii  nut  lire  r  ■Hts, 
Ot't  in  liiT  iib-rncc  mimic  timcv  wuiit's.  to  imitate  lier, 
Hnt  miHJiiiniiii:;  Him|)cs,  wilii  woriv  i»rt«lucc8  oft." 

T  sat  silei't  when  my  holt  was  shot  ;  hut  so  did  not  Madame. 
Astonislied  to  hear  her  favoritt'  author  <|Uoted  reailily,  hy 
so  mere  a  child,  she  attaclie<l  much  more  importance  to  the 
circumstance  tlniii  it  deser\('tl.     So  much,  indeed,  that  long 


t    i 

i 

i 

■I    i 

i    I 


'  f 


h>  '!.i 


208 


•NrKMOIIlS    OV    AN    AmKIUCW   LaDY. 


Jiftcr,  sli(>  used  to  i('|>('.'it  it  to  slraiitrcrs  in  my  iircscncc,  l»y 
\v:iy  of  :iccniintiiiLr  •"»r  tlic  txrciit  r.-iiicy  ^^lic  li.nl  tMkcii  to  inc. 
Tlicsc  icirtial  rcitctiiioiis  of  lu'is  tixcil  iliis  lucky  (|iiutati(iii 
indclilily  in  my  mind.  Any  |icrs(iii  wlm  lias  ever  l»ccn  in 
l<>\(',  and  li.as  nni'X|iecU'dly  heard  tlial  sweetest  ol'  all  music 
tlic  praise  (if  Iiis  l»cl(»vc(l,  may  jinliic  of  my  sciis:itioiis  wlicn 
.M.'id.amc  lici^.an  l<t  talk  with  eiitlinsiasm  of  Miltnn.  Tlu' 
h.ard  ol'  r.arailisi'  \\;ts  in<leed"tlie  dweller  nl'  my  secret 
soul  ;"  and  it  never  w.as  my  Tort  line  liclorc  to  meet  with 
.•my  niie  who  understood  or  relished  him.  I  knew  very 
well  th.'it  the  di\iiie  spirit  was  his  rrauiii.  i!iit  1  took  his 
invocation  (|uite  liter.ally,  aii<l  had  not  the  sin.allest  doiiht 
of  his  heinu:  ■">>*  much  inspircil  as  ever  Isai.ah  w  as.  This  was 
;i  very  hoperul  opeiiinn"  ;  >  i''  '  was  much  too  siin|»le  and 
too  humhU"  to  e.\|»ect  that  I  should  excite  the  attention  of 
.M.ad.ame.  ."My  .amhition  aimed  at  nothins;'  higher  than  win- 
niiiu  the  he.art  of  the  sweet  C.atalin.a  ;  and  I  tliouulit  if 
heaven  had  i,dven  me  such  .another  little  sister,  :md  eii.ahh'ij 
IMC  to  teach  her,  in  due  tinu-,  to  relish  .Milton,  I  should  li.avc 
iiothinu;  left  to  .ask. 

Time  wi'iit  on  ;  we  wei'c  nciyhhoi-s,  and  hecaiiie  intimato 
ill  the  family.  I  w.as  Iteloved  l»y  ('.it.alina,  caressed  l»v  her 
cli;.'- iiiiiLT  mother,  and  frcfiiu'ntlv  noticed  l»v  aunt,  whom  I 
\rvy  much  inclincil  to  lose,  were  it  not  tli.at  it  seemed  to 
me  ;is  as  if  in  so  doin<^,  I  should  .aspire  too  hiii'li.  ^'et  in 
my  visits  to  her,  where  I  li.ad  now  a  panic  ul.ar  low  cli.air  in 
a  corner  assiiriied  me,  I  li.id  n[reat  eiijoynu'iits  of  various 
kinds.  First,  I  met  therewith  ,all  those  stiaiincrs  or  in- 
hahitaiits  who  were  p.aiticiil.arly  respectahle  for  their  ch.a- 
ractcr  or  convers.ation.  Then  I  w.as  witness  to  ;i  thousand 
.acts  of  heneficence  that  ch.armed  me,  I  could  lutt  well  sav 
why,  not  haviiii;  learned  t(»  .analy/e  my  feelin<;s.  Then  I 
nu't  with  the  Spectator  .and  a  few  <  tlier  suitaMe  hooks, 
which  I  read  o\ci'  and  oxer  with  unwearied  diliLfence,  not 
h.aviii^  the  least  idea  of  treating  a  book  ;is  a  plaything,  to 


fv 


Mkmoius  of  an  Amkrtcan  Lady. 


2(;9 


1>C'  throw  II  :i\v;iy  wlu'ii  tlic  cliiinii  dl"  novelty  \v;is  |i;ist.  I 
was  l)y  <l('Lri"«'ts  <f('ltiiii;;  into  t'uvor  with  Aunt  Schuyh'r,  when 
.'I  new  arrival  for  a  whih'  susju'iKh'il  the  liTowinn  iiitimacy. 
I  alhnh'  to  tht-  cohmcl  of  my  father's  rcLiiiiicnl,  who  hail  rc- 
iiiovcil  from  Crown  Point  to  Alhaiiy. 

The  cohtiu'l  was  a  marrit'(l  man,  whose  Mife,  like  himself, 
had  passdl  her  early  days  in  a  course  of  frivolous  jxayely. 
They  were  iKtW  a|i|»roaehiiiLj  the  deeline  of  life,  a  in  I  lindiiiij,' 
iiothinji;  pleasiiiif  in  the  retros|ieet  nor  tlatlerinn  in  ]iros|ieet, 
tiinehunLToii  their  hands.  NN'liere  not hiiiLi' round  tliem  was 
coiiyfeiiial  to  their  haliits,  tln-v  took  a  faiiev  to  lia\e  me 
l'n'(|iieiitly  w  ii  h  them  as  matter  of  amusement.  Tliev  luul 
had  ehildreii,  ami  when  they  dieil  their  miilual  alVeetion 
dieil  with  them.  They  li.ad  had  a  fortune,  and  when  it  was 
s|K'iit  all  their  |»h'asures  were  exhausted.  They  were  hy 
this  time  drawiiii;  out  the  va|)i<l  ilre!.fs  of  a  tasti-less  exisl- 
eiiee,  without  energy  to  niaki'  themselves  feare(|,  or  those 
t^enlle  and  amialde  (iiialilies  which  attract  love:  vet  tliev 
wi'i'e  not  stained  with  gross  vices,  and  wi-re  jteojile  of 
c'hara<'ter  as  the  world  ifoes. 

What  a  new  world  was  I  entere(|  into  I  From  the  (|uiet 
siinplicity  of  my  home,  where  I  heard  iiotliinjjf  hut  truth, 
ami  saw  nothinj;  hut  innocence  ;  and  from  my  e'ood  frieiKTs 
respectahle  mansion,  where  kiiowU'diic  retlected  liu'lit  u|ioii 
virtue,  and  where  the  hours  were  loo  few  for  tluir  occupa- 
tion ;  to  he  a  (hiily  witness  of  the  manner  in  which  these 
listless  <;hosls  of  di'parted  fashion  and  i^ayety  drank  up  the 
hitter  lees  of  misused  time,  fortune,  and  capacity.  Never 
.  was  lesson  more  impressive  ;  and  youiiu'  as  I  was,  I  did  not 
'ail  to  mark  the  contrast,  and  draw  tln^  olivions  iiifi'rcnce. 
1  roin  this  hopefid  school  I  was  set  free  the  followinti'  sum- 
nu'r  (when  I  iiad  eutereil  on  my  ninth  year),  hy  tlu'  coloiiers 
rotuni  to  Kne;laiid.  They  were,  imleid,  kind  to  me  ;  liut 
the  i;ratitnde  1  could  not  hut  feel  was  a  sentiment  inde|ien(l- 
eiit  of  attachinenl,  and  early  tauiiht  me  how  ditliciilt  it  is, 
nay  how  painful,  U>  disjoin  esteem  from  gratitude. 


,Ji 


I 


270 


Mkmoirs  of  an  Amkrh'an  Lady. 


"^T! 


('llAI'TKIi   M.IX. 

Sii:  .Ii;i'Ki.'i;v  A\iiii:i!sr —  .Mi  iinv  —  Im>ian  W    k. 

Jv'V  lliis  time  (I7(l">)  |K;ifc  li:i<l  Imcm  fur  smiu'  time  cs- 
taldislinl  ill  Km-(»|»('  ;  Imt  tlu'  ft  rimiil  .-iiiil  !i«;ita(i"ii  wliicli 
(•\('ii  llic  Ices  ;iii(|  scdinu'iits  of  w.ir  kt'|it  up  in  tin-  ii«>itln'rn 
(•(ilmiifs,  iiihI  tlic  iiiiiiiy  rfi;iil:iti<>iis  n  .|iiisil('  t<»  cstaldisli 
(|iiit't  ;iiii|  sfciiiilv  ill  I  lie  iifw  :ici|iiir(M|  Caiiadiaii  tt-rritory, 
rc(|iiiic(|  all  the  can-  aii<l  |»nii|ciicc  of  I'n'  (•(iiiiiiiainlcr-iii- 
c'lrul',  ami  mi  lilllc  time.  At  tliis  crisis,  twi- siicli  it  proviMl, 
Sir  .IcIlVi'V,  aricr\vai(U  \A>n\  Amlicrsi,  caiiu'  up  tt»  Alliaiiy. ' 
A  iiiiitiiiy  lia<l  Itrokc  out  aim»iii;  tlu'  troops  on  acroiint  of 
wit liliojdiiin'  iIk'  |tro\  isiuiis  they  iiscd  to  rccciNt-  in  time  o^f 
actual  war;  ami  this  discontent  was  niiicli  at,'i;ra\  ated  hy 
tlieir  liiidinLj  tlii'inselvcs  treateil  willi  a  coldness,  amounting 
to  a\crsioii,  liy  the  peojilc  of  the  coiinirv  ;  who  now  I  iri^ot 
past  sets  ices,  and  showed  in  all  transactions  a  spirit  of  dis- 
like lionleriiii;  t'li  hostility  to  their  protectors,  on  whom 
they  no  loiiLfer  felt  theiiisel\es  dependent. 

Sir  .lelVrey,  however,  was  receivt'il  like  a  prince  at  Albany, 
res|K'et  for  his  private  character  coiKpierinii  the  anti-military 
prejudice.  The  coimiiamler-in-chief  was  in  those  da\  s  a 
great  man  <in   the  continent,  ha\iiin',  on  account  of  the  dis- 

'  JcfFicy  Aiulicrst  was  l)iirn  in  Kn;,'li>ii<i  ~!>  Jan..  1717,  and  early 
licvntcd  liiiiisijf  to  tlic  iirulcssioii  ot  arms,  lie  distin^niislicd  himsclt 
(III  ilie  ciiiitiiiciit,  and  ill  !7.")S,  wuh  apiiointed  to  llic  Anicrinin  Hcrvico 
with  tlie  rank  of  major  jri'iH-ral,  and  captiiri'il  Louislioiirf;.  lie  huc- 
cccdcd  .Aiicrcroinliii',  and  in  17r)!(  took  'ricondi'Mjrn  and  Crowiipoint. 
It  is  rdatfd  o(  iiiin  as  an  instan<T  of  ids  activity  and  ••nnjry,  that 
hecainc  down  t'rnni  Lake  (JeorN^c  on  loot,  1st  Jan.,  17r»{),  and  procecdtHl 
on  to  .New  York  aloot,  witli  a  tew  ot  his  otliccrs  and  .soldiers  (AfYy'"'.'/ 
of  Jlidiniiud  (lldUiimjx,  i,  WW),  lie  sjiw  the  whole  continint  ot'  North 
AniericH  reduced  in  Hulijection  to  (Jieat  Britain,  and  was  loaded  with 
title  and  honors  l»y  the  jroverninent.  lie  died  ;{  \\\^.,  1707,  uj^ed  81, 
(MiihuiWn  Uistoncdl  Seiics,  i,  v,  vii.)  —  M. 


0) 


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N[i:M(tI|{S    (»F    AN    A.Mr.HK'AN    ],.   :>Y. 


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t.'iiH'c    frniii   \\\i'   scut    (if    ijfuN  mmiciit,    iiiiicli    diM'n'lion.Miv 
power  intnistcil   to  him.      Never  w.is  it  iiioic   safelv  Iodised 
tlian  in  the  hainh  of  this  jiitlieioiis  veteran,  wliose  eoMi|»re- 
hension  of  mind,  imjiart iaiity,  steadiness,  and  (dose  a|i|)li('a- 
tion    to   Inisiiiess,  |ieeiiliarly   fitted    liim    for   his    iinportant 
station.     At    his  talde   all  strani^ers   were  entertained  with 
the  utmost  lilterality  ;   while  his  own   sinirular  tem|ieraii('e, 
t'lirly  hours,  and  strict  morals,  were  peeidiarly  ealcidate(|  to 
I'l-iKh'r  him   |)o|)idar    .-tinoMi;  the  old    inhaliitants.      Mere   I 
witnessed  an  impressive  spectacle  :   the  Ljiiarddiouse  was  in 
the  middle  ot"  the  street,  opposite  to  Madanie's  ;  there  was 
ii  ^iiard  extra<»r(linai'y  nioniite(|  in  honor  of  Sir  .FelVrey  ;  at 
the  hour  of  ehan^inix  it  all  the  soldiery  in  the  tort  assemltled 
tlu're,  ami  laid  down  their  arms,  rei"usin<;  t(»  take  them  up 
Mi;ain.      1  shall   never  i'ort^el  the  pale  and   aixitated   coiinte- 
iianees  ot"  the  oflicers  ;  tliev  l»eini;  too  well   assure(|  that  it 
was  a  thiui?  preconcerted  ;   which  was  actually  the  case,  lor 
at    Crown  Point   and  (^Ui'hec   the  sainethint;  was  done  on 
tlu'  same  (lay.     Sir  .FelTrey  came  down,  and    made  a  calm 
dispassionate  speech  to  them,  promisinj.^  them  a  continuance 
of  their  privileLTcs  till  further  orders  from  home,  and  olVer- 
iiiLf  pardon  to  the  wholi',  with   the  exception  of  a  few  rini;- 
K'aders,    whose   lives,   however,    were   spared.      'I'his   LTcntle 
dealing    had   its    due    ell'ect  ;   hut    at    (.2"'''"'<"   ^l'«'    mutiny 
assuiiu'd  a  most  alai'mini;  aspect,  and  had  ukuh'  ser".ons  con- 
siMpu'Uces,  thouLih  it  was  in  the  end  (pu'lle(|.      All  this  tinu' 
Sir  .lelTrey's  visits  to  .Madame  had  heen  fre(pient,  Itoth   nut 
of  re'pect  t(»  her  character  an<l   conversation,  aiul   to  reap 
the  iRMU'tii  of  her  local  knowle(l(;e  on  an  approachini;'  emer- 
^eiury,     This    was   a   spirit    of  disall'ection,    then    only  sus- 
|»'»t;'(l,  aiu(»n<;  the  Imliaus  on  the  I'pper  l-al<es,  which  soon 
after  Iti-oke   suddenly  out    into    open   hostility.      In    con.se- 
(pieiice  of    her  opinion   he    summoned   Sir   W.   .lohnson   to 
(•(Uici'rt    s(une  conciliatory   measuics.      I>ut    the   comnience- 
ineiit  of  the  v\ar  at  this  verv  crisis,  detained  him  huij-er  to 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

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272 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


'MH 


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arraiigo  widi  (u'lici-al  IJradstrcot  and  Sir  William  the 
operations  of  the  ensuini^  canipaign. 

This  war  broke  out  vci'v  o|»|>o)'tunelv  in  some  respects. 
It  atfor(le<l  a  i)rete.\t  1'(M"  uM'.'intiiiLr  tliose  indult^encies  to  the 
troops,  which  it  wouM  otlierwise  havi'  hceii  impolitic  to 
give  and  unsafe  to  withhold.  It  riii'nishe(l  occupation  for 
an  army  to  )  large  to  lie  idle  so  far  from  tlie  source  of 
authority,  wliich  could  not  yet  he  safely  withdrawn  till 
matters  were  on  a  moi'e  stable  footing  ;  and  it  made  the 
inhabitants  at  ouci'  more  si'usiblc  of  their  protection.  Madame 
liad  predicted  this  evi'nt,  knowing  better  than  any  one  how 
the  affections  of  these  tribes  might  be  lost  or  won.  Slie 
well  knew  the  jirobnble  conse((uences  of  the  ?iegligence  with 
which  they  »'ei-e  treated,  since  the  subjection  of  Canada 
made  us  consider  them  as  no  longer  capable  of  giving  ns 
trouble.  Pondiac,  chief  of  those  nations  who  inhabited  the 
borders  of  tiie  great  lakes,  ]»ossessed  one  of  those  minds 
which  break  through  all  disadvantages  to  assert  their  innate 
superiority. 

The  rise  and  conduct  of  this  war,  were  I  able  to  narrate 
tliem  distinctly,  the  reader  would  perha])s  scarce  have 
patience  to  attend  to  ;  indistinct  as  they  must  appear,  re- 
traced from  my  broken  recollections.  Could  I,  liowever,  do 
justice  to  the  bnivery,  the  conduct,  and  magnanimity  in 
some  instances,  and  tlu-  singular  aihlress  and  stratagem  in 
others,  which  ihis  exti'aordinary  person  dis})la\  c'd  in  the 
course  of  it,  the  ])ower  of  untutored  intcdleet  would  a]»pear 
incredible  to  those  who  lU'ver  saw  man  but  in  an  artiticial 
or  degraded  s  aie,  exalted  by  science  or  debased  by  conscious 
iirnorance  and  inferioritv.  Durino:  the  late  war  Pondiac 
occupied  a  central  situation,  bounded  on  each  side  by  the 
French  and  English  territories.  His  unconnnon  sagacity 
taught  him  to  make  the  most  of  his  local  advantages,  and 
of  that  knowledge  of  the  Kui'opean  character  which  resulted 
from  this  neighborhood.     He  Inul  that  sort  of  consequence 


'«'»* 


't 


f     — 


'*n  f  *  I  mmummmm^^ 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


273 


am    tlie 

t'spccts. 

s  to  tlu' 

olitic  to 

itioii  for 

mwv  of 

iwii   till 

adt'  tilt! 

.Ma<l:une 

oiu'  how 

»n.     She 

nee  with 

("anadii 

;'iviiig  us 

)itt'(l  the 

;t'  iiiiiKls 

'h'  innate 

>  narrate 
■ee  Inive 
ipear,  re- 
rever,  do 
iniity  in 
tagem  in 
(I  in  the 
i\  ajtpear 
artificial 
onseions 
Pondiac 
:>  hy  the 
sagacity 
ges,  and 
residted 
sequence 


m 


4» 


•i 


which  in  the  last  century  raised  the  able  and  j)olitic  princes 
of  the  house  of  Savoy  to  the  throne  they  have  since  enjoyed. 
Pondiac  iield  a  petty  balance  between  two  great  contending 
powers.  Even  the  privilege  of  i»assing  through  his  terri- 
tories was  purcliased  with  ]»resents,  promises  and  flatteries. 
While  the  court  which  was  paid  to  this  wily  warrior,  to 
secure  his  alliance,  or  at  least  his  neutrality,  made  him  too 
sensible  of  his  own  conse(pience,  it  gave  him  a  near  view 
of  our  policy  and  modes  of  life.  He  ofti-n  passed  some 
time,  on  various  ])rete\'ts,  by  turns  at  Montreal  and  in  the 
Knglish  camp.  The  sultjection  (jf  Canada  proved  fatal  to 
his  power,  and  he  could  no  longer  play  the  skilful  game 
between  both  nations  which  had  been  so  long  carried  on. 
The  general  advantage  of  his  tribe  is  always  the  upi)ermost 
thought  with  an  Indian.  The  liberal  presents  which  he 
had  received  from  both  parties,  alforded  him  the  means  of 
confederating  with  distant  nations,  of  whose  alliance  he 
thought  to  profit  in  his  meditated  hostilities. 

There  were  at  that  time  many  tribes,  then  unknown  to 
Europeans,  on  the  banks  of  Lake  Superitjr,  to  whom  fire- 
arms and  other  IJrilish  goods  were  captivating  novelties. 
When  the  French  insidiously  b\iilt  the  fort  of  J^etroit,  and 
the  still  more  detached  one  of  Michillimackiuac,  on  bounds 
iiitherto  undefined,  they  did  it  on  the  footing  of  having  se- 
cure places  of  trade,  not  to  overawe  the  iiatixcs,  but  to 
protect  themselves  from  the  English.  T!u>y  amply  ivwarded 
them  for  permission  toerect  these  fortresses,  and  pui'chased 
at  any  expense  that  friendship  from  them  without  which  it 
would  have  been  impossible  to  have  nuiintained  their  gri)und 
in  these  remote  regions.  .VU  this  liberality  and  fiattery, 
though  merely  founded  on  self-interest,  had  its  effect  ;  and 
the  French,  who  are  ever  versatili'  and  acconimodatinof,  who 
wore  the  Huron  dri'ss,  and  spoke  the  Ilui'on  language  when 
they  had  any  purpose  to  serve,  were  without  (h)ubt  the 
favored  nation.     We,  too  apt  to  despise  all  foreigtu'i's,  .and 

35 


h< 


274 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


not  over  complaisant  cvoii  wlicn  we  liave  a  purpose  to  serve, 
came  with  a  liigh  hand  to  occiijty  tliose  forts  whicli  we 
considered  as  our  right  after  tlic  coiKjuest  of  C'anachi,  hut 
which  had  heeii  always  lu'ld  by  the  more  crafty  Fiviich  as 
an  indidgence.  These  troops,  without  ceremony,  a])[)r()pri» 
ated,  and  following  Major  Duncan's  example,  cultivated  all 
the  fertile  lands  around  Detroit,  as  far  as  fancy  or  conven- 
ience led  them.  The  lands  round  Ontario  were  in  a  different 
predicament,  being  regularly  purchased  by  Sir  William 
Johnson.  In  consequence  of  the  peace  which  had  taken 
place  the  year  before,  all  the  garrisons  were  considered  as 
in  a  state  of  ]>erfect  security. 

Pondiac,  in  the  meantime,  conducted  hims<'lf  Avith  the 
utmost  address,  concealing  the  indignation  whicli  brooded 
in  his  mind  uiuler  the  semblance  of  the  greatest  frankness 
and  good  humor.  ^Master  of  vai'ious  languages,  and  most 
completely  :naster  of  his  temper  and  countenance,  he  was 
at  home  everywhere,  and  paiil  frequent  friendly  visits  to 
Detroit,  near  which,  in  the  finest  country  imaginable,  was 
his  abode.  He  fre(piently  dined  with  the  mess,  and  sent 
them  fish  and  venison.  Unlike  other  Indians,  his  maimer 
appeared  frank  and  communicative,  which  o])ened  tlie  minds 
of  others  and  favored  his  deep  designs.  He  was  soon 
nnister,  through  their  careless  conversation,  of  all  he  wished 
to  know  relative  to  the  stores,  resources,  and  intentions  of 
the  troops.  ^Madame,  who  well  knew  the  Indian  character 
in  general,  and  was  no  stranger  to  the  genius  and  abilities 
of  Pondiac,  could  not  be  satisfied  with  the  manner  in  which 
he  was  neglected  on  one  hand,  nor  his  easy  admission  to  the 
garrison  on  the  other.  She  always  said  they  should  either 
make  him  their  fi'iend,  or  know  him  to  be  their  foe. 

In  the  meanwhile  no  one  could  be  more  busy  than  this 
])olitic  warrior.  While  the  rndi;.ns  were  in  strict  alliance 
with  the  French,  they  had  their  wigwams  and  their  Indian 
corn  within  sight  of  the  fort,  lived  in  a  considerable  kind 


"T*      — 


iri-*'iii    Vlr^bL* 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


275 


0  to  serve, 
which  we 
iii.'ula,  but 
I'^ri'iich  as 

ij»pn))»ri- 
livated  all 
)V  couveii- 
i  (lifTi'iviit 

William 
liad  taken 
isidered  as 

t"  with  tlie 

h  brooded 

IVaukness 

and  most 

fe,  he  was 

y  visits  to 

liable,  was 

i,  and   sent 

lis  maimer 

I  tlie  minds 

was    soon 

he  wislied 

;entions  of 

I  chai'acter 

id  abilities 

r  in  which 

sion  to  the 

)uld  either 

oe. 

'  tlian  this 
ct  alliance 
leir  Indian 
rablc  kind 


of  village  on  the  border  of  the  lake,  and  had  a  daily  inter- 
course of  tratHc  and  civility  with  the  trooi>s.  There  was  a 
large  esplanade  before  the  garrison,  where  the  Indians  and 
soldiers  sometimes  socially  jilayed  at  l»all  together.  I'oiidiac 
hail  a  doul)le  view  in  his  intended  hostility.  The  Canadian 
priests,  with  the  wonted  restless  intriguing  spirit  of  their 
nation,  foiiK'nted  the  discontents  ot"  the  Intlians.  They  })er- 
suaded  them,  and  i)erhaps  flattered  themselves,  that  if  they 
(the  Indians)  would  seize  the  chain  of  forts,  the  grand  mon- 
ar(|ue  would  send  a  Heet  to  recon<|Uer  Canada,  and  guaranty 
all  the  forts  he  should  take  to  Pondiac.  Upon  this  he  did 
not  altogether  depend  :  yet  he  thought  if  he  ctiuld  surj>rise 
Detroit,  aiul  seize  a  vessel  Mhich  was  exj)ected  up  from  Os- 
wego with  annnunition  and  stores,  he  might  easily  take  the 
other  small  vessels,  and  so  comnuiiul  the  lake.  This  would 
be  shut  up  by  ice  for  the  winter,  and  it  would  lake  no  little 
time  to  build  on  its  banks  another  tleet,  the  only  means  by 
which  an  army  couhl  again  approach  the  place.  1  will  not 
atti'uipi  to  lead  my  reader  through  all  the  intricacies  of  an 
Indian  war  (entirely  sucli),  and  therefore  of  all  wars  the 
most  incompreheusil)Ie  in  its  jjrogress,  and  most  difficult  iu 
its  terms.  The  result  of  two  master-strokes  of  stratagem, 
with  Avhich  it  opened,  are  such  as  are  curious  enough,  how- 
ever, to  find  a  ])lace  in  this  d.iail. 


CHAPTER  L. 

PoNDiAC  —  Sir  Robkrt  Davers. 

All  the  distant  tribes  were  to  join  on  hearing  Pondiac 
was  ill  possession  of  the  fort.  ^Nlany  of  those  nearest,  in 
the  meanwhile,  were  to  lie  in  the  neighboring  woods,  armed 
and  ready  to  rush  (mt  on  the  discharge  of  a  cannon,  on  that 
day  which  was  meant  to  be  fatal  to  the  garrison.     Out  of 


ill 


ill- 
i 


;[   f! 


i-76 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


tlie  iiitcmUHl  niassiu'iv,  Imwt'Vt'r,  llic  aitilUr}'  wvvv  to  be 
spiiivd  that  [\\vy  iiiijflit  work  the  guns.  Near  tlie  I'ort  lived 
:i  iiiueh  aihnired  Indian  beauty,  who  was  know  ii  in  the  gar- 
rison l)y  the  name  of  (he  C^ueen  of  Hearts.  She  not  only 
spoke  French,  but  (hvssed  not  inelegantly  in  the  Murojiean 
manner,  ami  being  sprightly  and  captiN  ating  was  (Mu-ouraged 
by  Pondiae  to  go  into  the  garrison  (in  Aarious  pretexts. 
The  advantage  the  Indian  chief  meant  [o  (h-rive  from  this 
stratagem  was,  that  she  might  be  a  kind  of  spy  in  the  fort, 
and  tiiat  by  her  influence  over  the  commander,  the  wonted 
('  lution  with  regard  to  Indians  might  be  relaxed,  and  the 
soldiers  be  perniitteil  to  go  out  unarnu'd  and  mingle  in  their 
diversions.  This  i)lan  in  some  degree  succeeded.  There 
Avas  at  length  a  day  fixed,  on  which  a  great  match  at  foot- 
ball was  to  be  decided  between  two  parties  of  Indians,  and 
all  the  garrisons  were  invited  to  be  spectators.  It  was  to 
be  ]»layed  on  tlie  esplanade  opposite  to  the  fort.  ^Vt  a  given 
signal  the  bull  was  to  be  driven  over  the  wall  of  the  fort, 
which,  as  there  was  no  likelihood  of  its  ever  being  attacked 
by  cannon,  was  merely  a  pallisade  and  earthen  breast-Avork. 
The  Indians  Avere  to  run  hastily  in,  on  [tretence  of  recover- 
ing the  b;dl,  and  shut  the  gate  against  the  soldiers,  whom 
Pondiae  and  his  })eo})le  were  t<j  tomahawk  immediately. 

Pondiae,  jealous  of  the  Queen  of  Hearts,  gave  orders, 
after  she  was  let  into  the  secret  of  this  stratagem,  that  she 
should  go  no  more  into  the  fort.  Whether  she  was  offended 
by  this  want  of  confidence  ;  whether  her  humanity  revolted 
at  the  intended  massacre,  or  whether  she  really  felt  a  {)ar- 
ticular  attachment  prevailing  over  her  fidelity  to  her  country- 
men, so  it  was  ;  her  affection  got  the  better  of  her  patriotism. 
A  soldier's  wife,  who  carried  out  to  her  the  day  before 
some  article  of  dress  she  had  nnide  for  her,  was  the  medium 
slie  nuide  use  of  to  convey  a  hint  of  the  intended  treachery. 
The  colonel  was  unwilling  from  the  dark  hint  conreyed,  to 
have  recourse  to  any  violent   measures  ;  and  was,   indeed, 


» 


V 


II 


V  to  be 
)rt  lived 
the  ,<i,:ir- 
i()(    only 

uunini'd 

)rctc'Xts, 

(>m  this 

he  fort, 

AV<)iited 

and  the 

■  in  their 

Til  ere 

at  I'oot- 

ans,  and 

t  Mas  to 

t  a  given 

the  fort, 

attacked 

ist-work, 

recover- 

•s,  whom 

Ately. 

li  orders, 

that  she 

offended 

re^■olted 

i\t  a  \rdv- 

conntry- 

itriotisin. 

ly  before 

medium 

reaeliery. 

i,  eyed,  to 

,   indeed, 


f 


Mkmoirs  of  an  Amkrican  LaJ)Y. 


277 


doubtful  of  the  faet.  To  kindle  the  flames  of  a\  ar  a\  aiitonly, 
surinunded,  as  he  was,  by  hostile  nations,  who  would  carry 
tlu'ir  vengeance  into  the  defenci'less  new  set  tlenients,  was  a 
dreadful  e.\|te(lient.  Without  betraying  his  infornui-  lu' 
resolved  to  convince  himself.  'I'he  men  were  oi'dered  to  go 
out  to  see  the  ball  played,  but  to  keep  under  shelter  of  the 
fort  ;  and  if  they  saw  tin-  ball  drixcn  in,  imme(liately  tore- 
turn  and  shut  the  gates,  1  cannot  i-enuMubei-  the  exact 
mode  in  which  this  inanceuvre  was  managed,  but  the  con- 
se([uenee  I  know  was,  iirst,  the  repulsing  of  the  Indians  from 
the  gate,  and  then  the  commencing  of  open  hostilities  on 
tlieir  side,  while  the  garrison  was  for  some  time  in  a  stat'.' 
of  blockade. 

Meantime  tlie  Indians  had  concerted  another  stratagem, 
to  seize  a  vessel  loaded  with  stores,  which  was  daily  ex- 
pected  from  Niagiira.  Commodore  (irant,  a  youngei' 
brother  of  the  (ilenmoi'iston  family  in  Inverness-shire,  was, 
and  I  believe  still  is,  comnuxnder  of  the  lakes  ;  an  oHice 
whicli  has  now  greatly  risen  in  im])ortance.  .Vt  that  time 
his  own  vessel  and  two  or  three  smaller  were  employed  in 
that  navigation.  This  little  scpiadron  was  veiy  interesting 
on  a  double  account.  It  carried  stores,  troops,  etc.,  which 
could  not  otherwise  be  transported,  there  being  no  way  of 
proceeding  by  land  ;  iind  again  the  si/e  of  the  vi'ssels  and 
a  few  swivels  or  small  cannon  they  cai'i-ied  enabled  them 
to  command  even  a  fleet  of  canoes,  should  the  Indians  be 
disposed  to  attack  them.  Of  this  thei'e  was  at  the  time 
not  the  least  apjnvhension  ;  and  here  I  must  stop  to  gi\e 
some  account  of  the  first  victim  to  this  unlooke(l-for  attack. 

!Sir  Robert  1) '  was  the  rei)resentative  of  an  ancient 

English  family,  of  which  he  was  oi-iginally  the  sixth  ])rother. 
At  a   certain  time   of  life,  somewhere  betwixt  twenty-tive 

'  An  account  of  the  surprise  and  dcatli  nf  Sir  Kolx-rt  Diivcrs,  whoso 
name  Mrs.  Grant  hesitates  to  divulgo,  is  {vivon  in  MuttscU's  IHittoricai 
Series,  iv,  2,  a,  128.  —  if. 


jta 


278 


Memoiks  of  an  American  Lai>y. 


•:: 


i  I 


1  i 


I 


k^T^^  — 


aii'l  thii'ty,  v.xvh  was,  in  turn,  attacked  with  a  liy[)()cli()iKlriao 
(lisurdc'f,  wiiicli  linally  j»r<»viMl  fatal.  Sir  liohcrt,  in  turn, 
suc('('C'(lt'(l  to  the  I'state  and  (ith-,  and  to  tlie  dreadl'ul  a|)- 
jirehi'usiun  of  heiiij^  visite<l  by  tiie  same  calamity.  This 
was  the  moiH'  to  he  regi'etted,  as  he  was  a  i>erson  of  very 
<;(>od  al)ilities,  and  an  e.vcellent  disi)ositi(-)n.  The  time  now 
a|i|>i'oached  when  he  was  to  arrive  at  that  period  of  life  at 
which  the  fatal  malady  attackeil  his  brothers,  lie  felt,  or 
imagined  he  felt,  sonu'  symptoms  of  the  approaddng  gloom. 
NN'liat  sliouhl  he  do?  medicine  hail  not  availed.  Should 
he  travel  ;  alas  !  his  brothers  had  traveled,  but  tlie  blackest 
desjtair  was  their  com})anion.  Should  he  try  a  sea  voyage, 
one  of  them  conunaiMled  a  sliip,  and  fate  overtook  him  in 
his  own  cabin.  It  occurred  to  liim  that,  by  living  among 
a  iK'ople  wlio  were  utter  strangers  to  this  most  dreadful  of 
all  visitations,  and  adopting  theii-  manner  of  life,  he  miglit 
escape  its  infltu'nce.  lie  came  over  to  ^Vnierica,  where  his 
younger  bi-other  servi'd  in  a  regiment  tlien  in  Canada.  He 
felt  his  melancholy  daily  iucieasing,  and  resolved  immedi- 
at(dv  to  put  in  execution  his  plan  of  entirely  renouncing 
the  Kuro)>ean  modes  of  life,  and  incorporating  himself  in 
some  Indian  tribe,  hoi)ing  the  novelty  of  the  scene,  and  the 
hardships  to  which  it  would  necessarily  subject  him,  might 
give  an  entire  new  turn  to  Ins  sj)irits.  He  communicated 
his  intention  to  Sir  William  .lolmson,  who  entirely  approved 
of  it,  and  advised  him  to  go  up  to  the  great  lake  among 
tlie  Ilurons,  who  were  an  intelligent  and  sensible  race,  and 
inhabited  a  very  tine  country,  and  among  whom  he  would 
not  be  liahle  to  meet  his  countrymen,  or  be  tempted  back 
to  the  mode  of  life  he  wished  for  a  while  entirely  to  forsake. 
This  was  no  flight  of  caprice,  but  a  project  undertaken  in 
the  most  deliberate  manner,  and  with  the  most  rational 
views.  It  com])lett'ly  succeeded.  The  Ilurons  were  not  a 
little  flattered  to  think  that  an  Kuropean  of  Sir  Robert's 
rank  was  going  to  live  with  them,  and  be  their  brother.     He 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady, 


270 


among 


did  not  fail  to  conciliate  tlicni  with  presents,  an<l  still  more 
l)y  his  readv  adopt  ion  of  their  dress  and  manners.  'Vhv 
iSteatliness  he  showed  in  a<llierinn'  to  a  |)lan  where  he 
liad  not  only  severe  hardships,  hut  numlierless  disoiists 
to  encounter,  showed  him  possessed  of  invincihle  patience 
and  fortitufle  ;  while  his  letters  to  his  friends,  with  whom 
he  regtdarly  corresponded,  evinced  much  good  sense  and 
just  observation.  l''or  two  years  he  led  this  life,  which 
hal)it  made  easy,  an<l  the  I'njoyment  of  i'(|ual  spirits  agree- 
able. Convinced  that  lie  had  attainecl  his  desired  end,  and 
conquered  the  liereditary  tendency  so  much  dreaded,  ho 
])repared  to  return  to  society,  intending  if  his  di'spondency 
should  recur,  to  return  once  more  to  his  Indian  habit,  and 
rejoin  his  Huron  friends.  When  the  intention  was  fornie(l 
by  I'ondiac  and  his  associate's  of  attacking  the  commodore's 
vessel.  Sir  llobert,  wdio  wished  now  to  be  conveyed  to  some 
of  the  forts,  disci'rneil  the  British  ship  frojn  the  opposite 
shore  of  the  great  lake,  and  being  willing  to  avail  himself 
of  that  coineyance,  embarked  in  a  canoe  with  some  of  his 
own  Indian  friends,  to  go  on  board  the  commodore.  Mean- 
Avhile  a  very  large  canoe,  containing  as  mar.y  of  Pondiac's 
followers  as  it  could  possibly  hold,  drew  near  the  king's 
ship,  and  made  a  pretext  of  coming  in  a  friendly  maimer, 
while  two  or  three  others  tilled  with  warriors,  lio\iM-ed  at  a 
distance.  They  had  fallen  short  of  their  usual  policy  ;  for 
they  were  painted  red,  and  hud  about  them  some  of  those 
symbols  of  hostility,  which  are  ))erfectly  understood  amongst 
each  other.  Some  friendly  Indians,  who  happened  to  be 
by  accident  on  board  the  commodore's  vessel,  discerned 
these,  and  warned  him  of  the  approaching  danger.  On 
their  drawing  near  the  vessel  they  were  oi-dered  to  keep  off. 
Thinking  they  were  discovered,  and  that  things  could  be  no 
worse,  they  attempted  to  s))ring  on  board  armed  with  their 
tomahawks  and  scalpingdoiives,  but  weve  very  soon  re- 
pulsed.    The  other  canoes,  seeing  all  was  discovered,  drew 


i 

Mil 


|i 


280 


Memoius  of  an  American  Lady. 


lU'iir  to  siii»i»()rt  tlu'ir  iViciids,  liiit  were  soon  r('i»uls('(l  by  :i 
dischari^c  of  tlic  six-|Mtiiii(U'rs.  At  tliis  crisis,  tlio  caiKic, 
containing  Sir  Kolx'it,  l»ci;an  to  ailvancc  in  aiiotliiT  dircc- 
tion.  Tlic  Indians  wlio  acconipanicd  liiin  hail  not  Ix'cn 
apprised  of  tlic  proposed  attack  ;  Itnt  Ixinn-  IliU'ons,  tlie. 
connnodore  never  doiil»te(l  of  their  hostility.  Sir  IJohert 
sat  in  the  end  of  the  canoe  dressed  in  all  the  costnnie  of  a 
llui'on,  and  wrapped  up  in  his  blanket.  He  ordereil  his 
c(»iii]ianions  to  appi()a<'h  the  ship  iininiMliately,  not  deterre<l 
hy  their  calling  to  tlieni  to  keej<  oil",  intending,  directly,  to 
make  himself  known  ;  but  in  the  confusion  he  was  acci- 
dentally shot. 

I'o  describe  the  univi-rsal  sorrow  dilTnsed  over  the  i)ro- 
vince  in  consequence  of  this  fatal  accident  would  be  ini- 
]K)ssil»le.  Nothing  since  the  death  of  Lord  Howe  ha<l  ex- 
cited such  general  regret.  'Phi'  Indians  carrie(l  the  body 
to  Detroit,  and  delivered  i(  up  to  thegari'ison  foi- interment. 
He  had  kei»t  a  journal  tluring  his  residence  on  the  laki'S, 
which  was  never  recovered,  and  nnist  certairdy  have  con- 
tained (proceeding  from  such  a  mind  so  circumstanced) 
much  curious  matter.  Sir  Charles,  his  younger  brother, 
then  a  captain  in  the  1  7th,  succeeded  him,  but  had  no  visita- 
tion of  the  dej)ression  of  mind  so  fatal  to  his  brothers. 

iJumors,  enlarged  by  distance,  soon  reached  All)any  of 
tills  unlooked-for  attack  of  the  Indians.  Indeed,  before  they 
had  any  authentic  details,  they  heard  of  it  in  the  most 
alarming  maimer  from  the  teri-ified  back  settlers,  who  fled 
from  their  incursions.  Those  who  dwell  in  a  lan<l  of  security, 
where  oidy  the  distant  rumor  of  war  can  reach  them,  would 
know  something  of  the  value  of  safety  could  they  be  but 
one  day  transported  to  a  region  where  this  jtlague  is  let 
loose  ;  where  the  timorous  and  the  helj)less  are  made  to 

"  Die  many  times  l)elbre  tlieir  death," 

by  restless  humor,  cruel  suspense,  and  anticipated  misery. 


i 


r. 


.>r.-  ■'-. 


s(mI  by  :v 
H'  (•alloc, 
ivv  (lirt'c- 
II  »t  been 
rolls,  \]u\ 
r  llobcrt 
iiiiic  ol'  a 
l('rc(l  his 
Ictcnvd 
iH'ctly,  to 
was  acci- 

•  tlie  pro- 
Id  Itc  iin- 
i'  had  ex- 
\hv  body 
iitcriiiont. 
the  lakes, 
lavo  c'oii- 
nstaiiced) 

•  brotlic'i', 
iio  visita- 
liL'rs, 

Mbaiiy  of 
'fore  they 
tlie  most 
Avho  tied 
■Security, 
111,  would 
y  be  but 
^iie  is  let 
[idc  to 


misery. 


Y 


Mk.MoIKS    of    an    A.MKUK'AN    \j\U\. 


'2Hi 


Many  of  the  r('<j;imciits  cm|tloycd  In  the  coiKpicst  of  Canada 
had  rcliinicfl  home,  or  uonc  to  tJic  West  Indies.  Had  tiie 
Canadians  iiad  spirit  and  colu'sioii  to  rise  in  a  liody  and 
join  the  IiHliaiis,  'lis  hai<l  to  say  what  miylit  haxc  l»ccii  I  lie 
coiisc(|iieiicc.  -Madainc,  whose  cautions  were  nciilcctcd  in 
the  day  ol"  |ifo^|i('rity,  liccaiiic  now  the  |iuli|ic  oracle,  and 
was  resort cil  to  and  coii>nltc(l  liy  all.  l''oniicrly  she  hlaiiicil 
their  false  security  and  neylcct  of  tli;it  |io\vci'ful  chief,  who, 
ha\  inn"  been  accustomed  to  llatti'ry  and  yifts  iVoiii  all  sides, 
was  all  at  oiicc  made  too  sciisiMc  that  it  was  from  war  he 
(U'ri\t'd  his  importance.  Now  she  e(|nally  Idanicd  the  uni- 
versal t  rcpidat  ion,  heiii!^  coiiiideiit  in  our  ri'soiirces,  and 
well  kii(»wini;"  what  useful  allies  the  Mohawks,  ever  hostile 
to  the  Canadian  Indians,  mi<i;ht  pi'ove. 

Never  was  our  good  aunt  more  consulted  or  more  re- 
spccteil.  Sir  Jelfrey  Amherst  planned  at  All)aiiy  an  expe- 
dition \o  be  commaudc(l  hy  (leiieral  ib-adstreet,  for  which 
both  New  York  and  New  Knglaiid  raised  corps  of  provincials. 


CIIAPTKlt  LI. 

Death  of  Cai'Tain  J)ai.zii:i.  —  .Madamk  —  IIku  PuorliciKs. 

l\l.EA\'ri>[K  an  ex])r(>ss  arrived  with  the  aiHicting  news 
of  the  loss  of  a  caj)tain  and  twenty  men  of  the  r),")th  regiment. 
The  name  of  this  lamented  officer  was  Dalzii'l,'  of  the 
Caruwath  familv.     Colonel    lun-kwith  had    sent  for  a  rein- 


'  Tiiis  was  Captain  James  Dalycll,  of  tlio  2(1  battalion  ol'tlic  Royals, 
who  perished  in  a  hrave  but  indiscreet  attaidv  on  the  hidians  soon  alter 
Ilia  arrival  at  Detroit,  Auff.  ;J1,  ITGo.  1I<!  inarciied  out  with  247  men 
intendinjr  to  surprise  tlie  (Miemy  about  three  miles  from  the  fort,  but 
was  himself  surprised  and  killed.  See  IV  MuhsiWh  Hid.  Series,  54, 
50,  et  8e(i. ;  also  a  ljioe:rai)hical  sketch  Coloiiud  Uitst.  N.  I^,  VI,  547; 
Parkmau's  Pontiac,  275. —  M. 

36 


li'  !  I 


;l< 


w 


)U 


H 


1 


I 


282 


Mkmoihs  or  AX  Amkuican  Lady 


ritrci'iiiciil.  This  Major  Diiiicaii  hcsitntcd  t<>  scud,  till 
licttcr  iiirorriiiMl  as  IkiIu"  iikiiIc  of  convcyaiicc.  ('a|>t;iiu 
Dal/.ic'l  \  ()liiii(r('r«'(l  jfuiiiLT.  I  caniiot  exactly  >a\  imw  tlicv 
lirocccilcil  ;  Itiil,  after  h.'iviiiu;  |iciict  ratcil  ilii'niiLjIi  tlicwixMls 
till  tiicy  were  ill  si<^lit  of  Detroit,  tlii-y  were  ijiscovcrcil  ami 
attackcil  l)v  a  |»art\'  of  Iinjiaiis,  and  made  tlieir  wav  with 
tliC!  utmost  <liHieiilty,  after  the  loss  of  their  c-ommamler  aii<l 
the  third  part  of  their  iiiiml)er. 

Major  Diiiicairs  eoiii|ireheiisi\ c  mind  took  in  evt-rythinj^ 
that  liad  an\'  teiideiiey  to  ailvanee  the  y'l'iieral  j;oo<l,  and 
eeineiit  old  alliances,  lie  saw  none  of  the  lliiroiis,  whose 
territories  lay  far  al»ove  Ontario,  hut  tliose  tribes  whose 
course  of  liuutini^  or  lishiiiLT  Icdihem  to  his  Itoiindarles, 
were  always  kindly  treated,  lie  ol'tcn  inatle  them  jiresents 
of  ammuiiit  ion  or  |»rovisioii,  and  did  everythiiii;  in  his  power 
to  conciliate  them.  Tpon  heariiij;;  of  the  outrau;e  which 
the  lliiroiis'  hail  heeii  <.,niility  of,  the  liea<ls  of  the  tribe, 
with  whom  the  major  had  cultivate(l  the  ijjreati  st  iutunaey, 
caiiu'  to  assure  him  of  their  i^ood  wishes  and  hearty  co- 
operation, lie  iiivitecl  them  to  come  with  their  tribe  to 
celebrate  the  birth-day  of  the  new  kiiiL;'  (his  ])resent 
majesty),  whidi  occurred  a  few  <hiys  after,  and  there 
solemnly  renew,  with  the  usual  ceremonies,  the  h'ague 
offensive  and  dei'eiisive  made  Ix'tween  their  fathers  and  the 
late  king.  They  came  accordinujly  in  their  best  arms  ami 
dresses,  ami  assistecl  at  a  review,  and  at  a  kind  of  feast 
given  on  tlie  occasion,  on  the  outside  of  the  fort.  The 
cliief  and  his  brollu'r,  who  were  two  line  noble  looking  men, 
were  invited  in  to  dine  witli  the  major  ami  oHicers.  When 
they  arrived,  and  were  seated,  the  major  called  for  a  glass 


'  Tho  author,  p('rliai)S,  us(!s  the  term  Huron,  where  that  of  Algonquin 
would  liavti  l)een  more  correct.  Slic  docs  not  rocoUcct  the  disthictive 
terms  exactly,  but  aiii)lii's  the  epithet,  in  general,  to  the  Indians  who 
then  occupied  the  banks  of  the  Huron  lake,  and  tlie  adjacent  country. — 
Mrs.  Grant. 


iMr.MoiRs  or  AN  Ammrk'an  Lai»y 


•2S:1 


sciiil,    till 

C'lptiiiii 

,  lii)\v  llicy 

t  lie  w  iKtds 

\('i('il  ami 

way  with 

lainlcr  ami 

cvi'i-ytliliiuf 
_<;(>(m1,  and 
nils,  wliosu 
il»c's  wlioso 
loiiiidarii's, 

111   |(lTS('lltS 

1  Iiis  power 

a^c   wliii-ii 

the  tribe, 

t  iiitimaey, 

liearty  eo- 

ii"   tribe   to 

is    present 

and    there 

the    leagno 

•rs  and  tlie 

t  ai'nis  and 

id  of   feast 

foi-t.     The 

okiiit;"  men, 

rs.     Wlien 

for  a  glass 

of  Algonquin 
H!  distinctive 
Indians  who 
nt  country. — 


of  wine  to    Innk  his  sit\  creiifii's  heiillh  ;   this  w;;s  mt  sooner 
done,  lliau    tlie    saeheiirs    Id'otlicr  fell    lifeh'ss    oil  tiie  tloor. 
They   thoni^dit    it  was   a  faintini;   lit,  and    made  nse   of   the 
usual  a|tpliealioiis    to  rccoxcr   Iiim,  which  to  their   extreme 
surprise  proved  iiielVectiiai.      Ili-^  lirot  tier  h'oked  ste;,dily  on 
whih'  alltliose  means  were  Msintr  ;   l,,it  when   eonvinceilof 
their  inellieaey,  sat   down,   drew   his   mantle  over  his    fa«'e, 
sol'bed  aloud,  and  hurst  into  tears.     This  was  an  additional 
wonder.     '['hi'ou!.ili  the  traces  of  Indian  reeolleelion  no  per- 
son  hail   hi'eii    known    to    fall    suddenly  dead   without    any 
visible  cause,  nor  any  warrior  to  shed  tears.      After  a  pause 
of   deep  silence,  which    no   one    felt    inclined    to    break,  the 
sachem    rose   with   a  eo||ecte(|   ami  diuiiilied   air,  and    thus 
a<Mresse(l  the  witnesses  of  this  alVeciiiiif  accident  :  "(Jene- 
"  rolls  l^jiglish,  misjud<j;e  me  not  ;    though  you  have  seen  me 
"for  once  a  child,  in  the  day  of  battle  you  will  see  a  man, 
"  who  will  make  the  lliirons  weep  blooih      I  was  never  thus 
"before.      Ibit  to  me  my  brother  was  all.      Had  he  died  in 
"  battle,  no  look  of  mine  would  change.      His  nation  woiihl 
"  honor  liim,  but  his  foes  should  lament  him.      I  see  sorrow 
"in  your  coiinti'iiances  ;  and  I  know  you  were  not  the  cause 
"of   my  brother's   death.      Why,  indeeil,  should    you   take 
"  away  a  life  that  was  devoted  to  you?     (leneroiis  Knglish, 
"ye  mourn   for  my  brother,  and  I  will   tight  y(mr  battles." 
This  assurance  of  hiscoiiHdenee  was  verv  neeessarv  to  (iiiiet 
the  minds  of  his  friends  ;  and  the  eoncern  of  the  otHeers  was 
much  aggravated  by  the  suspicious  circunistaiices  attending 
his  death  so  immediatelv  after  drinking  the  wine  they  had 
oiven  him.     The  major  ordered  this  lamented  warriorto  be 
interred  with  great  eeri'tnony.     A  solemn  procession,  mourn- 
ful music,  the  firing  of  canir;!,  and  all  othei-  military  honors, 
evinced  his  symi)atliy  foi'  the  living,  and  his  respect  for  tlie 
dead  ;  and   the  result  of   tliis  sad    event,  in  the  end,  rather 
tended  to  strengthen  the  attachment  of  those  Indians  to  the 
British  cause. 


284 


Mkmoirs  of  an  American  Lady, 


?!;•,  '  <• 


I  have  given  tliis  s'mg"ul;ir  occi.iTciicc  a  place  in  lliese 
memoirs,  as  it  serves  to  illustrate  the  calm  gocxl  sense  and 
steady  eontidei.ce,  wliieli  made  a  })art  oi'  the  Indian  eliarac- 
ter,  aiwl  a(hled  vahic  to  their  friendsliip  when  once  it  was 
t'ai'-ly  attained. 

Tiic  5r)th,  whi'h  Inid  heen  under  orders  to  return  home, 
felt  a  severe  disaiipointment  in  being,  for  two  years  more, 
contined  to  their  sylvan  fortresses.  Thes»-,  however,  they 
emljellished,  and  rendered  eomi'ortahle,  with  gardens  and 
farm-grounds,  that,  to  reside  in  them,  eould  no  longer  be 
aeeounted  a  penanei'.  Vet,  during  the  Indian  war,  they 
were,  from  motives  of  necessary  eaution,  eonibu'd  to  very 
7iarrow  ibnits  ;  wliieh,  to  tliose  aecustomed  t(j  i)ursue  their 
s[)ort>s  With  all  th:;t  wihl  liberty  and  wide  exeursit)n  pecu- 
liar to  savage  hunters,  was  a  hardship  of  which  we  can 
have  no  idea.  Restrained  from  this  unbounded  license, 
tisliing  became  their  next  favorite  pursuit,  to  which  the 
hikes  and  rivers  on  which  these  forts  were  built,  atforded 
<;reat  facilitv.  Temi)ted  bv  the  abundance  an-i  excellence 
of  tlic  productions  of  these  co|>ious  waters,  they  were  led  to 
en(binger  their  health  by  their  assiduity  in  this  amusement. 
Agues,  the  disease  of  all  new  establislmu'iits,  became  fre- 
(pient  among  tliem,  and  were  aggravated  by  tlie  home-sick- 
ness. To  this  they  were  more  peculiarly  liable  ;  as  the 
regiment,  just  newly  raised  before  they  embai'ked  for 
America,  liad  (piitted  the  bosom  of  their  families,  without 
passing  througli  the  gradation  of  boarding-schools  and 
academies,  as  is  usual  in  other  countries. 

What  an  unsj)eakable  blessing  t(>  the  iidiabitants  were 
the  parish  schools  of  the  nortli,  and  how  much  humble 
Avorth  and  laborious  diligence  has  been  found  anions 
their  teachers.  Tn  those  lowly  seminaries  boys  not  only 
attained  the  rudiments  of  learning,  but  the  princiiiles  of 
loyalty  and  genuine  religion,  with  the  abatement  of  a 
small  tincture  of  idolatry  ;  of  which  their  liousehold  gods 


'   ill    llioso 

sens;'  aixl 

an  cliarac- 

lu'c  it   was 

urn  home, 
ears  more, 
■e\c'r,  they 
r<lens  and 
longer  he 
war,  they 
'd   to  ^  eiy 
iirsiie  tlieir 
sion  |ieeii- 
L'h  Ave  ean 
'd    license, 
which  the 
t,  atrorded 
excellence 
vere  led  to 
iimsement. 
.'canie  fre- 
home-siek- 
le  ;  as  tlie 
•arked   for 
's,  without 
iiools   and 

ants  were 
h  hiimhle 
i<l  amonsT 
not  only 
iiciples  of 
iient  of  a 
hold  gods 


I 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


285 


were  the  only  ohjects.  Never  surely  was  a  mode  of 
education  so  calculati'd  to  cherish  attachiiu'iit  tn  (hose 
tutelar  deities.  Kveii  tlu'  laird's  son  had  often  a  mile  or 
two  to  walk  to  his  day  school  ;  a  neighhoring  ti'iiaiit's 
sou  carried  the  basket  which  coutaiiie(l  liis  sim]»le  dimu'r  ; 
and  still  as  they  wt'iit  along  they  were  joined  by  ^thcr  fellow- 
travelers  ill  the  paths  of  learning.  How  cui-dial  were  tlmsc 
iiuimacit's,  formed  in  the  early  period  of  life  and  of  the  day, 
while  natur(  smiled  around  in  dewy  freshness  I  How  glad- 
dening to  the  kind  and  artless  heart  were  these  early  walks 
tlimugh  the  wild  varieties  of  a  romantic  country,  and  among 
the  i)eaci'ful  cottages  of  simple  })easants,  from  whence  the 
incense  of  praise,  '"  in  sounds  by  distanct'  made  more  sweet," 
rose  on  the  morning  bree/e  I  How  chei-ring  was  the  mid-day 
sport,  amid  their  native  burns  and  braes,  wMlioiit  the  con- 
iinemeiit  of  a  formal  play-gro\iii(l  I  How  delightful  the 
evening  walk  hoiiu'ward,  animated  by  the  consciousness  of 
being  ahout  to  meet  all  that  was  (U-arest  to  the  artless  and 
affectii»nate  mind  !  Thus  the  constitution  was  improved 
with  the  iinderstaiiiling  ;  and  they  carried  abroad  into  active 
life,  the  rigid  fibre  of  the  robust  and  hardy  frame,  ami  the 
warm  and  fond  affections  of  the  heart,  '.i  •orriipted  and 
true  to  its  first  attachments.  Never  sure  wei'c  youth's  first 
ixlowinar  feeliiii^s  more  alive  than  in  the  minds  of  those  young 
soldiers.  From  school  they  were  liurrie(l  into  the  greatest 
fatigues  and  hardships,  and  tlu'  horrors  of  the  most  san- 
guinary war  ;  and  from  thence  transportt-d  to  the  depth  of 
those  central  forests,  where  they  fornie(l  to  themselves  a 
little  world,  whose  greatest  charm  was  the  cherished  recol- 


' The  Scottish  peasants,  wlien  they  return  to  breakfast  from  tlicir 
early  labors,  always  read  a  ])ortion  of  scripture,  sinff  some  jiart  of  a 
])salni,  ami  pray.  This  practict;  is  too  (reneral,  eitlier  to  diniinisli 
cheerfulness,  or  convey  tlie  idea  of  sujierior  sanctity  ;  wliile  tlu-  effect 
of  vocal  music,  risin<r  at  once  from  so  many  separate  dwellin^rs,  is  very 
impressive. —  Mrs.  Grant. 


J 


il 


'rJ^.-'' !,'.''¥  f^'i'-'ZiJi^'^'i'"'.-' 


ili 


•^\   ![ 


28, 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


lection  of  tlic  simple  anrl  endeared  scenes  of  their  childhood, 
and  of  the  beloved  relations  whom  they  had  left  behind, 
and  to  whom  they  lanuuisluMl  to  retnrn.  They  had  not 
gone  through  the  ordeal  of  the  world,  and  could  not  cheer 
their  exile  by  retracing  its  ways,  its  fashions,  or  its  amuso- 
nuMits,  It  is  thi  i  domestic  education,  that  uid^roken  series 
of  home  joys  and  tender  remembrances,  tl'.fit  render  the  na- 
tives of  the  north  so  faithful  to  theii"  filial  and  fraternal 
duties,  and  so  attached  to  a  bleak  and  rugged  region,  ex- 
celled in  genial  warmth  of  climate,  and  feitility  of  soil,  in 
every  country  to  which  the  s\nv'\t  of  adventure  leads  them. 

I  was  now  i-estored  to  my  niche  at  Aunt  Schuyler's  and 
not  a  little  delighteil  witli  the  impor  ance  which,  in  this 
eventful  ci'isis,  seemeil  to  attach  to  her  opinions.  The  times 
were  too  agitated  to  admit  of  her  paying  much  attention  to 
me  :  but  I,  Avho  took  the  dee])est  interest  in  what  was  going 
on,  and  heard  of  nothing,  abi-oad  or  at  honu",  bu*,  Indians, 
and  sieges,  and  campaigns,  was  doubly  awake  to  all  the 
conversation  I  lieard  at  home. 

The  ex[)edit'()n  proceeded  under  General  Bradstrcct,  while 
my  father,  reconnnendeil  to  his  attention  by  Madame,  held 
some  temjiorary  employment  abouv  mustering  the  troops. 
My  friend  had  ,iow  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  her  2)lans  suc- 
ceed in  different  instances. 

Fhilij),  since  known  by  the  title  of  General  Schuyler, 
whom  I  have  repeatedly  mentioned,  had  now,  in  pursuance 
of  the  mode  she  pointed  out  to  him,  attained  to  wealth  and 
Dower  ;  both  which  were  rapidly  increasing.  Tils  brother 
Gortlandt'  (the  handsonu>  savage)  who  iiad,  by  her  advice, 
gone   into  the   army,  was  returned  from  Ireland,  the  com- 


'  Thcsi;  were!  the  sons  of  Joliamu's  Schuyler,  jun  ami  Cornelia  Van 
Cortlandt,  uid  the  .i(']ihe\vs  of  Madame  Schuyler,  (iiui.  Philip,  horn 
17;J3,  died  18  Nov.,  180-!,  affcd  71,  diatin<fuislu'd  hy  his  revolutionary 
services,  wiiicli  liave  been  made  the  subject  of  two  volumes  by  Mr. 
Lossing. — M. 


I 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady, 


287 


I 


ohildhod'l, 

eft  behind, 

y  ^.•l(l  not 

not    < heor 

its  iiniiiso- 

ken  series 

ler  the  na- 

1   fraternal 

region,  ex- 

of  soil,  in 

'ads  them. 

lyler's  and 

eh,  in  this 

The  times 

ittention  to 

was  going 

it  Indians, 

to  all  the 

treet,  while 

dame,  held 

he  troops. 

plans  suc- 

Schuyler, 
pnrsuance 
vealth  and 
is  brother 
ler  advice, 
,  the  com- 

'ornelia  Van 
Pliili|),  born 
evolutionary 
mes  by  Mr. 


k 


mander  of  a  company  ;  and  married  to  a  very  pleasing  and 
estimable  woman,  whose  perpetual  vivacity  and  good 
humor  threw  a  ray  of  light  over  the  habitual  reserve  of  her 
husband  ;  who  was  amiable  in  domestic  life,  though  cold 
and  distant  in  his  manner.  Tliey  settled  near  the  general, 
and  paid  a  degree  of  attention  to  Madame  that  showed  the 
lilial  tie  remained  in  full  force. 

The  colonel,  as  iie  was  then  called,  had  built  a  house  near 
Albany,'  in  the  English  taste,  comparatively  magniticent, 
where  his  family  resided,  and  where  he  can-ied  on  the  busi- 
ness of  his  department.  Thirty  miles  or  more  above  Albany, 
in  the  direction  of  the  Flats,  and  near  the  far-fanu'd  Sara- 
toga, which  was  to  l)e  the  ^cene  of  his  future  triuniph,  he 
had  another  establishment.  Tt  was  here  tliat  the  colonel's 
])olitical  and  economical  genius  hail  full  scope.  He  had 
alwavs  the  command  of  a  great  number  of  those  workuu'U 
who  were  empl(»yed  in  public  buildings,  etc.  Those  were 
alwavs  in  constant  itav  ;  it  being  necessarv  to  en<''a<>e  them 
in  that  manner,  and  were,  from  the  change  of  seasons,  the 
shutting  of  the  ice,  and  other  circumstances,  months  unem- 
ployed. All  these  seasons,  when  i)ublic  business  was  inter- 
ru])te(i,  the  workmen  were  employed  in  constructing  scpiai'cs 
of  buildings  in  the  nature  of  barracks,  for  the  purpose  *  '.' 
lodging  artisans  and  laborers  of  all  kinds.  Having  })re\  i- 
ously  obtainecl  a  large  tract  of  very  fei'tile  lands  from  the 
crown,  on  which  he  built  a  spacious  and  conveuieut  house  ; 
ho  constructed  those  bari'acks  at  a  distance,  not  only  as  a 
nursery  for  the  arts  which  he  meant  to  encourage,  but  as 
the  materials  of  a  future  colony,  which  he  nu'ant  to  }tlant 
out  around  him.  i!e  had  here  a  number  of  negroes  well 
acquainted  with  felling  of  trees  and  managing  saw-mills  ; 
of  which  he  erected  several.     .\nd  while  these  were  employed 


'  This  house,  still  standinjj  at  the  head  -f  Schuyler  street,  is  said  to 
have  been  built  by  General  Bradstreet. —  .  (. 


m 


Ml' 


i:  IS 


288 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


J 


ill  ciirrviii^  on  a  very  .'ulvautaLjc'oiis  track'  of  deals  and  Inni- 
\)vv,  wliicli  wciv  iloatcil  down  on  rafts  to  Xcw  York,  tlicy 
were  at  the  sainc  tiiiie  clearing  the  ground  for  the  eolony 
the  colonel  was  ]>re|)Mriiig  to  establish. 

This  new  settleiiuMit  was  an  asylum  for  e\ery  one  wlio 
wanted  bread  and  a  home  .  from  the  variety  of  employments 
rei;ularlv  distributi'd,  everv  artisan  and  laborer  found  hero 
lodging  and  occupation  :  some  hundri'ds  (»f  peopK',  indeed, 
were  employt'd  at  once.  Those  who  were  in  winter  engaged 
at  the  saw-mills,  were  in  summer  ecpially  busied  at  a  large 
and  i)roductive  tisherv.  The  artisans  got  loduiiiu"  and  tiring 
lor  two  or  three  years,  at  iirst,  besides  being  well  paid  for 
everything  they  did.  J^'lax  was  raised,  ami  dressetl,  and 
iinally  s[)uii  and  ina<le  into  linen  there  ;  and  as  artisans  were 
very  scarce  in  the  country,  every  one  sent  linen  to  weave, 
tlax  to  dress,  etc.,  to  the  colonel's  colony,  lie  ])aid  them 
liberally  ;  and  having  always  abundance  of  money  in  his 
hands,  could  att'ord  to  be  the  loser  at  first,  to  be  amply 
rei)aid  in  the  end.  It  is  inconceivable  what  dexterity,  iul- 
dress,  and  deej)  ixdicy  were  exhibitecl  in  the  managemont 
of  this  new  settlement  ;  the  growth  of  Avhich  was  rapid 
heyoiid  belief.  Every  mechanic  ended  in  being  a  farmer, 
that  is  a  i)rotital)le  tenant  to  the  owner  oi'  the  soil  ;  and 
new  recruits  of  artisjins  from  the  north  of  Irt'land  chiefly 
supi)lied  their  jdace,  nourished  with  tlie  golden  dews  which 
this  sagacious  projector  could  so  easily  command.  The 
]'aj)id  increase  and  advantageous  result  of  this  estalilishment 
were  astonishing.  'Tis  imi)ossible  for  my  imperfect  recol- 
lection to  do  justice  to  tlie  capacity  displayed  in  these  regii- 
hitions.  Hiitl  have  thus  endeavored  to  trace  to  its  original 
source  that  wealth  and  power  which  became,  afterwards, 
the  means  of"  sui)porting  an  aggression  so  formidable. 


mRmrnHnnBr- 


Y. 

.'lis  and  luni- 
kV  Vork,  tlicy 
>r  (lie  colony 

Tiy  OIK'  wlio 
•Mi|)Ioyin('iits 
loimd  hero 
'l»li',  iiKk'cd, 
iittT  engaged 
'<!  at  a  largo 
iig  and  firing 
'^yvU  paid  for 
dressed,  and 
irtisans  were 
<'!!  to  weave, 

0  paid  tliein 
uoney  in  liis 

to  be  amply 
loxterit}',  ad- 
management 
H  was  ra])id 
ng  a  farmer, 
!<-•  soil  ;  and 
■land   chiefly 
dews  wliicli 
"land.     The 
'tahlishment 
LM'fect  recol- 

1  these  reiru- 
its  original 

afterwards, 
dal»le. 


MexMoiks  of  an  Amliuican  Lady.  289 

CIIArTKK  LII. 

MaDAMK's  PoIMI-AIiriV  KxcllANCK  OF  PuiSONKKS. 

JLX  the  front  of  .Mailame's  house  was  a  portico,  towards 
the  street.  To  this  she  was  supported,  in  fine  evenings, 
when  the  whole  town  were  enjoying  themselves  on  thi'ir 
respective  seats  of  one  kind  or  other.  'I'o  her's  there  were 
a  few  steps  of  ascent,  on  which  we  used  hunihly  to  seat 
oursi'Ives  ;  while  a  succession  of  "  tlu' eldei's  of  that  city'' 
I)aid  their  respects  to  Madame,  and  convei'sed  with  her  by 
turns.  Never  was  levt-e  better  attendi'd.  "Aunt  Schuyler 
is  come  out,"  was  a  talismanic  senteiu'e  that  produced 
pleasure  in  every  countenance,  and  set  every  one  in  motion 
who  hope(l  to  be  well  ivccivecl  :  for,  as  I  have  i'ornu'rly 
observed,  aunt  knew  the  value  of  time  much  too  well  to 
devote  it  to  every  one.  We  lived  all  this  time  next  door 
to  her,  and  were  often  of  these  evening  parties. 

The  Indian  war  was  now  drawing  to  a  i-lose,  after  occa- 
sioning great  dis(piiet,  boundless  expi'use,  and  sonu'  blood- 
shed. lOven  when  we  had  the  ail  vantage  wliich  our  tactics 
and  artillery  in  soiiu'  instances  ga\i',  it  was  a  warfai'c  of 
the  most  })recarious  and  i)erj)lexing  kind.  It  was  something 
like  hunting  in  a  forest  at  best  ;  could  you  but  have  sup- 
posed the  animals  you  ]»ursued  armed  with  missile  wea^jons, 
and  ever  ready  to  stait  out  of  some  unlooked  for  place. 
Our  faithful  Indian  confederates,  as  far  as  I  can  recollect, 
■wore  nu)re  useful  to  us  on  this  occasion  than  all  the  dear 
bought  apparatus,  Avhich  we  collected  for  the  purpose  of 
destroying  an  enemy  too  wise  and  too  swift  to  })ei'mit  us  to 
come  in  sight  of  theiu  ;  or,  if  determine(l  to  attack  us,  suf- 
ficiently dextrous  to  make  us  feel  before  we  saw  them. 
We  said,  however,  that  we  coiuiuered  I'ondiac,  at  wliich 
no  doubt  he  smiled  ;  for  the  truth  of  the  matter  was,  the 
conduct  of  this  war  resembled  a  protracted  game  of  chess. 

;]7 


« 


:  i 


-^  tl 


I 


I-* 


i 


290 


AIemoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


llo  was  as  little  iil»lf  to  take  our  foils,  without  cannon,  as 
we  were  aide  without  the  feet,  the  eyes,  and  the  instinctive 
sauaeity  of  Indians,  to  ti'ace  them  to  their  retreats.  After 
delighting  ourselves  for  a  long  while  with  tlu'  manner  in 
which  we  were  to  punish  Pondiac's  presuniption,  '''■  coidd  i''e 
})ut  ntirt'  ciitcji  liiin,''''  all  ended  in  our  making  a  treaty,  very 
lionorable  for  him,  and  not  very  disad\  antageous  to  our- 
selves. We  gave  both  ])resents  and  promise's,  and  Poiidiac 
gave — permission  to  the  mothers  of  those  children  who 
lia<l  been  taken  awiiy  from  the  frontier  settlements  to  receive 
them  back  again,  on  condition  of  delivering  up  the  Indian 
])risoners. 

The  joyful  day  when  the  congri'ss  was  held  for  concluding 
peace  I  never  shall  forget.  ^Vnother  memorable  day  is  en- 
graven in  indelible  characters  upon  my  memoi-y.  Madame, 
being  deeply  interested  in  the  projected  exchange,  brought 
about  a  scheme  for  h;>ving  it  take  place  at  Albany,  which 
was  more  central  than  any  other  i)lace,  and  where  her  in- 
fi'jence  among  the  Mohawks  could  be  of  use  in  getting 
intelligence  about  the  children,  and  sen<ling  messages  to 
those  who  had  adoi)te(l  them,  and  who,  by  this  time,  were 
very  unwilling  to  part  with  them.  In  the  first  ])lace  because 
they  were  growing  very  fond  of  them  ;  and  again,  because 
they  thought  the  children  would  not  be  so  hapi)y  in  our 
manner  of  life,  which  appeare<l  to  them  both  constrained 
and  effeminate.  This  exchange  had  a  large  retrospect.  For 
ten  vears  back  there  had  been,  everv  now  and  then,  while 
these  Indians  were  in  the  French  interest,  ravages  ujion  the 
frontiers  of  the  different  provinces.  In  many  instances 
these  children  had  been  snatched  away  while  their  j)arents 
were  working  in  the  fields,  or  after  they  were  killed.  A 
certain  day  was  api)ointed,  on  which  all  who  liad  lost  their 
children,  or  sought  those  of  their  relations,  were  to  come  to 
An)any  in  search  of  them  ;  where,  on  that  day,  all  Indians 
possessed  of  white  children  were  to  present  them.     Poor 


I)V, 


^rEMOIHS    OK    AN    AmKUICAN   LaDY. 


•291 


out  Oiniiion,  !is 

the  iiistiiictivo 

froals.     After 

tlic   iii.'uiiicr  in 

ion,  "  I'onld  u'c 

;i  tivaty,  very 

i^coiis  to  oiir- 

s,  and  I*omlia(^ 

cliildrtMi   who 

icnts  to  receive 

u])  the  Indian 

foi-c'onehidinij: 
d>le  day  is  en- 
)iy.  Madame, 
lanf,^',  brought 
Albany,  which 

where  lier  in- 
use  in  getting 
^  messages  to 
his  time,  were 

place  because 
again,  because 

lia]ti)y  in  our 
h  constrained 
irospect.  For 
lid  then,  while 
ages  upon  the 
any  instances 

their  parents 
re  killed.  A 
had  lost  their 
n-e  to  come  to 
y,  all  Indians 

them.     Poor 


women,  wlio  had  travelecl  some  hundred  miles  from  the 
back  settlements  oi"  I'ennsylvania  and  New  Kngland,  ap- 
])eared  liere,  with  anxious  looks  !ind  aching  hearts,  not  know- 
ing whether  their  cliihlrcn  were  alive,  or  how  exartlv  to 
ic'eiitify  them  if  they  should  meet  them.  I  ol)servi'd  these 
apprehensive  and  tender  motlu-rs  wi'i'e,  though  [loor  people, 
all  (b'cssed  with  iieculiar  neatness  and  attention,  each  wish- 
ing the  iirst  impression  her  child  siiould  receive  of  her  might 
be  a  favoiable  one.  On  a  gentle  slope  near  the  foiM,  sl((od 
a  row  of  temporary  huts,  built  by  retainers  to  the  troops  ; 
the  green  before  tlu'se  buildings  was  the  scene  of  these 
pathetic  recognitions  ;  which  I  did  not  fail  to  iittend.  The 
joy  of  even  the  happy  mothers  was  ovei-powerlng,  and  found 
vent  in  tears  ;  but  not  like  the  bittei'  tears  of  those  who, 
after  long  travel,  found  not  what  they  sought.  It  was 
affecting  to  see  the  deep  and  silent  sorrow  of  the  Indian 
women,  and  of  the  children,  who  knew  no  other  mother, 
and  climsjf  foutUv  to  their  bosoms,  from  wlu'nce  thev  were 
not  torn  without  the  most  piercing  shrieks  ;  while  their  own 
fond  mothers  were  distresseil  bevoiid  measure  at  the  shvness 
and  aversion  with  which  these  long  lost  objects  of  their 
love  rei-eived  their  caresses.  I  shall  never  I'oi-get  the  gro- 
tesque figures  ami  wild  looks  of  these  young  savages  ;  nor 
the  trembling  luiste  with  which  their  motliers  arraved  them 
in  the  ni'W  clothes  they  had  brought  for  them,  as  hoping 
that,  with  the  Indian  dress,  they  would  throw  off  their  habits 
and  attachments.  It  was  in  short  a  sci'iie  impossible  to  de- 
scribe, but  most  affecting  to  behold.  Never  Avas  my  good 
friend's  considerate  liberality  and  useful  sympathy  more 
fully  exerted  than  on  this  occasion,  which  brought  so  nuiiiy 
poor  travelers  from  their  distant  homes  on  this  pilgrimage 
to  the  shrine  of  nature.  IIow"  many  traders  did  she  per- 
suade to  take  them  gratis  in  their  boats  !  How  many  did 
she  feed  and  lodge  !  and  in  what  various  ways  did  she 
serve  or  make  others  serve  them  all.     No  one  indeed  knew 


i 


i! 


ii 


■ii 


I  1' 


i'  II 


yi  >i 


202 


Mkmoik.s  01'  AN  Amkkican  Lady. 


how  to  refuse  a  r(M|uest  of  Aiiut  Sdniylcr,  wlio  never  made 
one  for  lierself. 


CIIArTEU  LI  IT. 

]{i:rri:.\  ok    iiik  ■)r)rii    Ki:(ii.MKNr  ro   KiKoei:  —  IMmvaiks 

SK.NT  TO   I'kNSACOI.A. 

X  IIl^j /35tli  now  left  tlicir  calm  ahodes  amidst  their  lal<es 
and  forests,  with  the  joy  of  children  hi-cakinu'  u))  from  tlicir 
school  ;  little  aware  that  they  were  hidding  ailien  to  quiet, 
plenty  and  freedom,  and  utter  stranijei's  to  the  world,  into 
which  thev  were  about  t»»  olunixt'.  Thev  all  eanu'  down  to 
Albany.  Captain  ^lunijo  Cani]ibcll  was  charnu'd  to  find 
me  so  familiar  with  his  Milton  ;  while  I  was  t'(|ually  charmed 
to  find  him  a  favorite  with  Aunt  Schuyler,  which  was  with 
me  the  criterion  of  merit.  Colonel  Duncan,  for  such  he 
■was  now,  marched  proudly  at  the  liead  of  his  j)upils,  whom 
he  had  carried  up  I'aw  youths,  but  broui>ht  back  with  all 
the  maidy  and  soldierly  opemiess  of  nninner  and  character 
that  could  be  wished,  and  with  minds  greatly  improved. 
j\[ean while  ^Nladame's  counsels  had  so  nuu-li  intbu'iu'e  on 
my  father,  that  he  began  seriously  to  think  of  settling  in 
America.  To  j)art  with  nis  beloved  55th  Avas  very  ti'ying  ; 
yet  his  prospects  of  advantage  in  remaining  among  a  ])eo})le 
bv  whom  he  was  esteemed,  and  to  whom  he  had  really  be- 
come attached,  were  very  flattering  ;  for  by  tlie  aid  of  aunt 
and  the  old  inliabitants,  and  frien<lly  Indians,  wlio  Avere  at 
her  powerful  bi(hling,  he  could  expect  to  get  advantageously 
some  lands  which  lie,  in  common  M'ith  oth(M-  officers  who 
served  in  America,  was  entitled  to,  lie,  having  a  right  to 
apply  for  t'ne  allotted  <piantity  wherever  he  found  it  vacant, 
that  is,  in  odd  unoceui)ied  places,  between  different  })atents, 
which  it  required  much  local  knowledge  of  the  country  to 


II: 


J)Y. 


lio  never  made 


'k--1'k 


IVA'IKS 


1st  llieir  lal<(>s 
U"  111*  from  tlieir 

allien  to  (|uiet, 
the  world,  into 

came  down  to 
harmed  to  find 
||"''''lly  charmed 
vhicli  was  with 
II,  i'or  sueli  lie 
s  pupils,  whom 

baek  witli   all 
•  and  charaeter 
itly   iin])roved. 
h   iiitliienee   on 
of  settlinjT   in 
s  Aeiy  tryino;  ; 
"loiio-  a  people 
liad  i-eally  Inc- 
ite aid  of  aunt 
i,  wlio  Avere  at 
dvaiitafjoonslv 
M-  ofticers  wlio 
inu:  .1  I'io^lit  to 
'imd  it  vacant, 
'orent  patents, 
he  country  to 


;^^E^InIRs  OF  AN  Ami:rtcan  Lady. 


2!)n 


discover,  had  y'reat  ly  (he  advantage  of  st  ranti'ers  ;  because  lu' 
could  <;et  iid'ormalion  of  those  secluded  spots  hi' re  and  thei'c 
that  were  truly  valuahle  ;  wheri'as  other  otiicers  Itelomi'inLT 
to  ren'iments  disbandeil  in  the  coiniti-y,  eitiier  did  not  tind 
it  cou\('nient  to  ^-o  to  the  expense  of  taking"  "Ut  a  patent 
and  sur\-eyin<4' the  lands,  and  so  sold  their  I'iuhts  \\<y  a  Iritle 
to  others  ;  or  else  half  a  dozen  went  together,  and  made  a 
choice,  li'eiu'rally  an  injuilicious  one,  ()f  some  lar^e  tract  of 
yroiuid,  which  would  not  have  been  so  Ioul!,' unsolicited  Inid 
it  been  of  real  valiu'.  My  lather  i)ouii'ht  the  riuhts  of  two 
vounu,'  olUcers  who  wcn'  in  a  hurry  to  oo  to  Murope,  and 
had  not  ]»erhaps  wherewithal  to  uo  throiinh  t  he  necessary 
forms  useil  to  appropriate  a  particulai"  spot,  the  expense  of 
that  ]»roci'ss  lieini;'  considerabU'.  Accoi'diniily  he  became 
a  conse(piential  landholdei-,  and  had  his  hall-pay  to  boot. 

The  o'jtli  were  now  preparint;'  to  end)ark  for  that  home 
which  they  reyardiMl  with  I'Uthusiasm  ;  this  extended  tothe 
lowest  I'anks,  who  were  absolutely  honu'-sick.  They  had, 
too,  fromtlu'  liiL^'hest  tothe  lowest,  bi'eii  I'uabU'd,  from  their 
unex))i'nsive  mode  of  livinu',  to  lay  up  some  nioiu'y.  Never 
was  there  a  body  of  nu'u  moi'c  uncoia'upted  and  more 
attached  to  each  other.  Military  men  contract  a  love  of 
variety  in  their  wanderini;'  manner  of  life,  and  always 
imagine  they  are  to  tind  sonu'  enjoynu'ut  in  the  next 
(pnirters  that  they  ha\e  not  had  in  this  ;  so  that  the  oi'der 
for  march  is  y-enerally  a  joyful  summons  to  tin-  younger 
officers  at  least.  To  these  novices,  who,  when  they  thought 
the  world  of  vai'iety,  glory,  and  prefermi-nt  was  open  befoi'e 
them,  were  ordere(l  u[»  into  the  depth  of  une.xplori'd  forests, 
to  be  kept  stationary  for  years  without  even  the  amusenuMit 
of  a  battle,  it  was  sulticiently  disapi»ointing.  ^'et  afti-r- 
wards  I  have  been  told  that,  in  all  the  changes  to  which 
this  hapless  regiment  Avas  subjecti'd,  they  looked  back  on 
tlu'  years  s|)ent  on  the  lakt-s  as  the  hap])iest  of  their  lives. 

My  father  parted  with  them  with  extreme  regret,  but  he 


t 


1     I 


1^ 


.       i 


I    I 


l'|V| 


Mr.Moins  (tr  an   Amkhh'an   Ladv 


1 1  ail  pa^^nl  I  lie  Ivul'irnii  :  licit  is  lo  sa\ ,  talvt'ii  <>iil  liis  pal  nil, 
ailil  sla\  111"  IllU^t.  lie  wen!  lli>\\('\('i  lo  New  N  t<ll\  Willi 
llicm,  ami  licrc  a  \vr\  iiiicxix'clcd  siciic  ii|n'ii('<l.  Many  <•! 
llic  siildins  wild  liail  savcl  liltlc  sums  had  tli'|Misilc(l  tliciii 
ill  iii\  lallicr's  liaihU.  ami,  wlicii  he  ix:\\  c  cvci'v  our  liis  dwii 
al  New  ^  i>ilv,  lie  liad  meal  pleasure  in  seeing  t  lieir  eviilla- 
lion,  ami  llie  piireliases  llies  were  nial\inn'.  \\  lien,  all  of  ;i 
siiiMeii.  a  I  linn<lerliol|  Inii'sl  anions;'  lliese  poor  I'ellows,  in 
llie  shape  of  an  oiiler  to  ilral't  the  <4re:ilesl  pari  oi'  lliem  to 
I'ensaeola:  to  renew  reuiineiils  who,  plaeeil  on  a  l»ar  of 
luiniiii!.;'  sami,  w  il  li  a  sail  ina:  Ii  he  lore  ami  a  swamp  heliimi 
were  linneriiiL;'  oiil  a  wi<'l('he(|  ami  precarious  evistenee, 
(lail\  enl  shml  h\  disease  in  some  new  inslanee.  W'ofds 
are  very  iuade«piale  lo  ^ixe  an  idea  of  ihe  horror  that  per- 
\adeil  this  hand  ol'  \elerans.  When  this  order  was  most 
iine\perledly  I'ead  al  I  he  head  of  |  he  rei;iinenl ,  il  was  worse 
|o  the  most  oi'  them  ihaii  a  senlenee  ol'  immediate  death  ; 
they  were  ^oiii!.';  !>•  a  dismal  and  detested  tpiarter,  and  lliev 
wei'e  Lioinu  lo  heeonie  pari  of  a  reiiimeiil  of  no  repute  ; 
whom  lhe\  ihemst'hes  ha<l  held  in  the  utmost  eontempl, 
when  they  had  l't>rinerly  served  Ion-ether,  'rheojlieers  were 
not  a  liltle  alVeeled  hy  this  cruel  order,  to  part  with  the 
l>ra\e  well  disciplined  men  ;  who,  l>v  their  siii^ailar  n'ood 
eomlucl,  and  hy  the  liahits  ol'  sharinn'  with  their  ollicers  in 
the  chase,  and  in  their  auriciill  iiral  amuseiiH'iits,  lisliiiiLj- 
jiarlics.  etc..  had  ;ic(piire(|  ;i  kindly  iie;irness  to  them  not. 
usually  siihsisliiiL:-  ln'twceii  those  who  command  and  they 
who  must  implicit  ly  oliey.  What  ties  wt-re  hroke  !  what 
hojx's  w  (M'e  hlasti'd  hy  this  fatal  (U-der  !  These  sad  exiles 
emharked  for  I'ensai'tila  at  the  same  time  that  their  eoni- 
i-ades  st't  out  t'or  Ireland.  My  father  returned,  sunk  in  tlio 
deepesi  sadness,  which  was  increased  hy  our  place  of  aliodi'  ; 
for  W(>  had  ri'inoxed  to  the  fors.akeii  fori,  where  there  was 
no  ciwature  hut  ourselves  and  lliriH'  or  four  soldiers  who 
chose  to  slay  in  the  country,  and  foi-  whom  my  father  had 
procured  their  discharge. 


U. 


nv 


MkMuIIIS    (»!••    AN     AmI'.IIU'W     ],\\>\ 


'Jiir» 


•III    \\\^  |>M(CI1(, 
\V    ^  nil,     \\  ill, 

•'1.       M.lliy   III' 

■|"'^i(«'(l  llinii 

\  'iiic  liis  own 

lli'ii-  cMilla- 

Vlii'ii,  mII  (»r  ;i 

•r    I  el  lows,  ill 

•  "I    1  Ih'Mi  (o 

"II  .'I    l>;ir   of 

u.iiii|>  iit'liiinl 

HIS     ('\is(('||C(', 

ii'f.  Words 
i'i"i-  lli.'il  |M'r- 
l«'r  w  MS  iiiosi 
.  il  \v;is  w  (irsc 
'"li.'ilc  lic'illi  ; 
'<'!•,  ;iii(i  (Ik'v 
no  r('|iiil(>  ; 
's|    coiilciiii)! 

•  •Iliccis  were 
III  wilh  (li(- 
iiixiil;!!-  i^'ood 
'il"  olliccrs  ill 
nl^^,  lisliiiiir- 
'<•   lliciii    iio( 

kI     ;I11<I     (||(.y 
l'<'I<<'   !     wIlMt 

<'  sad  exiles 
llicir  coiii- 
siiiik  in  flu. 
«'  <•!'  ahodc  ; 
'  (here   was 

•  IdiiTs   who 
i'adior  had 


1  was  in  till'   nii-aiil  iiiir  iiioH'  inrniialc    ihaii  r\rt   at    Aunt 
Sclinylt'i's  ;   attracted  not  onl\   li\  Inr  kiiidmsK,  Inil  ni\   ad 
miration    lor    Mrs.  ('mlrr,    and    at  lai'liiiiiiii    |oi    lin    lii\<l\ 
littlr  ujirl.      Tlir  liiisliaiid  ol'    ilir  luiincr  was    now    iihiiiM  i| 
lioin  liis  W  est    India  \<>\a!4<',  ami  tin  \  k  liicd  to  ;i  lioie-r  of 
their   own,  ineaiiilin  t<>   snceeed    to  l|i;il    Inisine^s    wlmh  the 
mav'"!',  MOW    Wealthy  and    iiilinn,    was  <|iiittiii^.      <  oit|;indt 
Sehiiyler,  the  ^eiieial's  hrother,  aii<l  his  s|»riLf|il  ly  aj^reeaMe 
wile,  were    now,  as  well    as  the  eoii|i|e    lornieiK    liielitioiied, 
rre<|iient   visitors  al  aunt's,  ami    made  a    very  pliMsinn    uddi- 
tioii    lo  her   raniiliar  eirele.      I    lie^aii    to    lie  con-jdei e<l    as 
aliiKist  a  child  of  the  laiiiily,  and  .Madame  tooU   miieli  jiaitiM 
in  inslrnctin^  ini',  hoping'  thai   I  would  eoiiiiinie  ;itlached  to 
her,  and  kiiowinuc   ihat   my  |iareiits   were  much    ll.itleied   I'V 
her  Ivimlness,  and    Inlly  eonseioiis  oj'   the   advantages    I  de- 
rived I'roni  it.      W  il  II  her  aiil  inv  lat  her's  |ilaii  of  |iio('eediii(^ 
was  I'mIIv  diL!;esled.      lie  was  to  survey  and  /<><■,//,   his  lands 
((hat    was  the    phrase    used    lor  such    I  raiisie  lions),   and  at, 
leisure  (as  the  |irice  of   lands  was  (laily  ridnn),  l<'   ht  I  hem 
out.  nil  lease.       lie  was  to    reserve  a  ',^,,i,i\    \';iv\\\   lor    liimseir, 
Init  not  to  reside  ii|Hin  it  till  the  lands  aroiind  it   were  eiilli- 
v.'ite*!  ;  and  so    many  settlers   n<iiie  n|>    as  wfiiihl    mal<i'    llie 
district  in  a  fjei^ree  eivili/,ei|  and  |io|iiiloiis  ;   a  chani^e  which 
was  like  to  take  place  very  rapidly,  as  I  here  were  ilaily  emi- 
{^r.'itions  lo  that  neiijrhliorhood,  which  was  hecome  a  I'avoiile 
rallyinu;    point,   on  accoiinl    of  a  lloiirishinLC   and  sinunlarlv 
well  eondm-led  setllenieiit,  which  I  have  already  mentioned, 
under  the  auspices  lA'  ('ohmel  Schuyler  in  this  <piai'ter. 


(JIIArTKIJ   \AV. 

Pijoi'ioin  Y  A'i('i,Ai;i;.Ni»oN    -   \'isio\,vi;v  I'ians. 

IVXV  fallier  went  up  in  summer  with  a  retinue  oi'   Indians, 
and  disbanded  soldiers,  etc.,  liea<h.'d  by  a  lund-surv(;yor.     In 


!'! 


, 


^^:' 


i    ii 


n 


I     I 


290 


Mkmoius  of  an  A.mi:iu(;an  Lady. 


that  country,  incii  (•!'  lliis  (li'scri|»tinn  l'orm('<l  an  iniportant 
anti  distinct  iHtd'cssiitn.  Tlicy  were  pntvidctl  with  an  ap- 
|taralMs  of  iiicasiirinLf-chains,  tents,  and  provisions.  It  was 
upon  the  whoh'  an  expensive  exjiedition  ;  hut  this  vas  the 
h'ss  to  he  relict  lei  I  as  llie  ohjecl  p'ovcd  I'ully  a(h'<piate. 
Never  was  a  lofdthni  more  ti'rt ile  or  more  \ahiahh',  norllie 
])()ssessor  of  an  estate  more  ehited  with  his  aopiisition  :  a 
lieaiitirni  slin-am  passed  throiiyh  the  midst  of  the  propeily  ; 
heyond  its  limits  ou  one  si(U'  rosi'  a  hiftv  eminence  covered 
with  tali  cedar,  whicli  l»einiL>;  inchnh-d  in  no  patent,  woidd 
hi-  a  couinion  yood,  and  olTered  an  inexhaiist  ihie  supply  of 
tindn'r  anil  lirinij  after  the  lands  shoidd  1-e  entirelv  cleari'il. 
This  sylvan  scene  appeareij,  even  in  its  wild  state,  to  pos- 
sess singular  advantages  ;  it  was  dry  Kini'land  without  the 
least  particle  ol'  swamp,  n'reat  pai't  of  it  was  co\'ere(l  with 
chestnuts,  tlu^  sure  indication  of  uood  wheat-land,  and  the 
rest  with  white  oak,  the  ncNC'r-failini^  forerunner  of  <;ood 
Indian  corn  and  pasture.  The  ground,  at  the  time  of  the 
survey,  was  in  a  !:;reat  nu'asure  covereil  with  strawherries, 
the  sure  sii;..of  fertility.  And  better  and  better  still,  there 
was,  on  a  considerable  stream  which  watered  this  resj^ion  of 
benediction,  a  beaver-dam,  that  was  visibly  of  at  least  fifty 
years  standiu!.''.  What  particular  addition  our  overfh)wiu!;f 
felicity  was  to  dei'ive  from  the  neighborhood  of  these  sa- 
gacious buildings,  may  not  be  easily  conjectured.  It  was 
not  their  society,  for  they  were  nuu'li  too  wisi'  to  remain  in 
our  vicinity,  nor  yet  tlu'ir  e\am|)le,  which,  though  a  veiy 
good  one,  we  were  scarce  wise  enough  to  follow.  Why 
tlieii  did  we  so  nuu'h  i-ejoice  over  the  dwelling  of  these  old 
settlers  ?  .Merely  because  tlieir  industry  had  saved  us  much 
trouble;  :  for,  in  the  course  of  their  lal)ors,  they  had  cleared 
above  thirty  acres  of  excellent  hay-land  ;  Avork  whicli  we 
should  take  a  long  time  to  execute,  and  not  perform  near 
so  well  ;  the  truth  was,  this  industrious  colony,  by  wliose 
preyious  labor  we  were  thus  to  profit,  were  already  extir- 


AUY. 


MllMOlKS    OF    AN    AmKUICAN    LaDY. 


21)7 


'I  ;(ii   im|M)rl;iiit 
•'l   with  iiii  ap- 
i>i(iiis.     It  was 
Hi  lliis  va.s  tliu 
"lily  a(l('(|iialt', 
iliialtic,  iioiilic 
i('«|ui.siti<Mi  :  ji 
iIk'  |»r()|)(.'i'ty  ; 
iiiiciicc  covered 
'  |>ateii(,  would 
'tilde  Mi|»|)ly  of 
III  irely  cleared, 
d  slate,   to  j»os- 
iii'l  without  the 
s  t'overed  with 
tdaiid,  and  tho 
imiier  of  <>-ood 
die  time  of  the 
h  St ra wherries, 
'tter  still,  there 
1  this  reufioi)  of 
>!'  .'It  least  fifty 
II r  (nerfiowino" 
"1   '»f  these  sa- 
iii-c'l.      It    was 
!i'  to  i-emaiii  in 
thoiiirh  a  veiy 
I'ollow.     AVhy 
g  of  these  old 
saved  us  iiuieh 
■y  liad  cleared 
)rk  which   wo 
perform  near 
^"y,  l>y  wlioso 
already  extir- 


pated, to  tny  iinspeakaltU'  sorrow,  who  had  been  creatiiif^  a 
heiiiu'i'  ITtopia  ever  since  I  heard  of  the  cireiinistance.  Tiiu 
p'"otectiou  I  was  to  alTord  them,  the  ac<|Uaiutance  I  was  to 
iiiake  with  them,  after  con<|iierinL,'  the  first  shyness,  and  the 
deli^fht  I  was  to  have  in  seein;^them  work,  after  conviiK-inj^ 
them  of  their  safety,  occupied  my  whole  attention,  and 
hel|ieil  to  console  me  for  the  drafting  of  the  r)r)th,  which  I 
had  been  ever  since  lamentini^.  How  Inioyant  is  the  fancy 
of  childhood  !  I  was  niortilieil  to  the  utmost  to  liear  there 
were  no  Iti-avers  remainini^  ;  yet  the  charming,  thouf^h 
simple,  description  my  father  j^^ave  us  of  this  "  vale  of  Idiss," 
which  the  heavers  had  partly  cleare(l,  and  the  whole  Town- 
ship of  Clarendon  (so  was  the  new  laid  out  territory  called), 
consolcil  nu'  for  all  |iast  disappointments.  It  is  to  l)e  ob- 
served that  th(!  |)olitical  and  economical  re<^ulations  of  the 
heavers  make  their  iieii^hhorhood  very  desirable  to  new 
settlers.  They  build  houses  and  dams  with  unwearied 
industry,  as  every  one  that  has  lu'ard  of  them  must  needs 
know  ;  l)ut  their  unconrpierable  attachment  to  a  |»articular 
spot  is  not  so  well  known  ;  the  conse(pU'iice  is,  that  they 
woi'k  more,  and  of  course  clear  more  land  in  some  situations 
than  in  others.  When  they  hap]»en  to  pitch  upon  a  stream 
that  overflows  often  in  spring,  it  is  apt  to  carry  away  the 
dam,  formed  of  lai'ge  trees  laid  across  the  stream,  which  it 
lias  cost  them  unspeakable  pains  to  cut  (h)wn  and  bring  thert;. 
Whenever  these  are  destroyed  they  cut  down  more  trees 
and  construct  anotlier  ;  and,  as  they  live  all  winter  on  the 
tender  twigs  from  the  underwood  and  baik  which  they  strip 
from  poplar  and  alder,  they  soon  clear  these  also  from  the 
vicinity.  In  the  (hiy-time  they  eitlier  mend  their  houses, 
lay  up  stores  in  them,  or  fish,  sitting  ujton  their  dams  made 
for  that  purpose.  The  night  they  employ  in  cutting  down 
trees,  which  they  always  do  so  as  to  make  them  fall  towards 
the  stream,  or  in  dragging  them  to  the  dam.  Meanwhile 
they  have  always  sentinels  placed  near  to  give  the  alarm, 

38 


1.:^,: 


•l!,' 


r  ^ 


If 


:fli 


I  ; 


iJ 


2'^8 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


in  case  of  any  intrusion.  It  is  liarrl  to  say  when  these  inde- 
fatigable animals  vefresli  tlieniselves  witli  sleep.  I  have 
seen  those  that  have  heen  taken  young  and  made  very  tame, 
so  lliat  they  followed  their  owner  about  ;  even  in  these  the 
instinct  which  prompts  their  nocturnal  labors  was  a})parent. 
Whenever  all  was  quiet  they  began  to  work.  Being  dis- 
contented and  restless,  if  confined,  it  was  usual  to  leave 
them  in  the  yard.  They  seemed  in  their  civilized,  orratlier 
degraded  state,  to  retain  an  idea  that  it  was  necessary  to 
convey  materials  for  building  to  their  wonted  liabitation. 
The  conseciuence  was,  that  a  single  one  would  carry  such 
quanties  of  wood  to  the  back  door,  that  you  would  find  your 
way  blocked  up  in  the  morning  to  a  degree  almost  incredi- 
ble. 

Being  very  much  inclined  to  be  hai)py,  and  abundant  in 
resources,  the  simi>le  felicity  which  was  at  some  future 
])eriod  to  prevail  among  the  amiable  and  imiocent  tenants 
we  were  to  have  at  Claren<h)n,  filled  my  whole  mind. 
Before  this  flattering  vision,  all  painful  recolh'ctions,  and 
even  all  the  violent  love  which  I  had  persuaded  myself  to 
feel  for  my  nr.tive  Britain,  entirely  vanished. 

The  only  thing  that  disturbed  me,  was  aVunt  Schuyler's 
age,  and  the  thoughts  of  outliving  her,  which  sometimes 
obtruded  among  my  day  dreanis  of  more  than  mortal  hap- 
piness, I  thought  all  this  could  scarce  admit  of  a(hlition  ; 
yet  a  new  source  of  joy  was  opened,  when  I  found  that  we 
were  actually  going  to  live  at  the  Flats.  The  spot,  ren- 
dered sacred  by  ihe  residence  of  aunt,  where  I  should  trace 
her  steps  wherever  I  moved,  dwell  umler  the  shadow  of  her 
trees,  and,  in  short,  find  her  in  everything  I  saw.  We  did 
not  asi)iro  to  serious  farming,  reserving  that  effort  for  our 
own  estate,  of  which  we  talked  very  magnificently,  and 
indeed  liad  some  reason,  it  being  as  valuable  as  so  much 
land  could  be  ;  and  from  its  situation  in  a  i)art  of  the 
country  which  was  hourly  acquiring  fresh  inhabitants,  its 


- 


lADY. 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


299 


hen  these  irule- 
i^leep.     I  liavG 
liide  very  tame, 
cMi  in  these  the 

s  was  ai)j>arent. 
k.  Being  dis- 
isiial  to  leave 
ized,  or  rather 

IS   iieeessary  to 

ted  habitation. 

iihl   cany  sueh 
ouhl  find  your 

ahnost  incredi- 

<1  abundant  in 
t  some  future 
iioeent  tenants 
'  wliole  mind. 
o!!<'cti:)ns,  and 
(led  myself  to 

lilt  Hohuyjer's 
eh  sometimes 
»»  mortal  hap- 

of  addition  ; 
bund  that  we 
'he  spot,  ren- 

should  trace 
liadow  of  her 
tw.  We  did 
effort  for  our 
ficently,   and 

.'is   so  much 

part  of  the 
labitants,  its 


value  daily  increased,  which  consideration  induced  my  father 
to  refuse  several  offers  for  it  ;  resolved  either  to  jieople  it 
witli  highland  emigrants,  or  retain  it  in  nis  own  hands  till 
he  should  get  his  })rice. 

Sir  Henry  Atoore,  the  last  British  governor  of  New  York 
that  I  remember,  came  up  this  summer  to  sec^  Albany,  and 
the    ornament    of    Albany  —  iVunt  Schuyler;  he   brought 
Lady  INFoore  and  his  daughter  with  him.     They  resi<led  for 
some  time  at  General  Schuyler's,  I  call  Iiim  so  1  y  anticipa- 
tion ;  for  sure  I  am,  had  any  gifted  seer  foretoh'i  then  what 
was  to  happen,  lie  'vould  have  been   read}'  to  answer,  "  L, 
thy  servant  a  dog,  that  he  should  do  this  thing.'''     Sir  Harry, 
like  many  of  his  predecessors,  was  a  mere  show  governor, 
and  old  Cadwallader  Colden,  the  lieutenant  governor,  con- 
tiuiied  to  do  the  business,  and  enjoy  the  power  in  its  most 
essential  branches,  such  as  giving  |tatents  for  lands,  etc. 
Sir  Harry,  in  the  meantime,  liad  never  thought  of  business 
in  his  life  ;  he  was  honoi-ivble  as  f;ir  as  a  man  could  be  so, 
who  always  spent  more  than  he  had  ;  ho  was,  however,  gay, 
good  natured,  and  well  bred,  affable  and  courteous  in  a  very 
high  degree,  and  if  the  business  of  a  governor  was  merely 
to  keep  tlie  governed  in  good  humor,  no  one  was  titter  for 
that  office  than  he,  tlie  more  so,  as  he  had  sen.^e  enough  to 
know  two  things  of  great  imjiortance  to  be  known  :  one  was, 
that   a  person  of  tried  wisdom  and  good  experience   like 
Colden,  was  fitter  to  transact  the  business  of  the  province, 
than  any  dependant  of  his  owii  :  the  otlier,  that    he  was 
totally  unfit  to  manage  it  himself.     The  government  house 
was  the  scene  of  frecpient  festivities  and  weekly  concerts. 
Sir  Henry  being  very  musici',1,  and  Lady  Moore  peculiarly 
fitted  for  doing  iii6  lionors  of  a  drawiiig-rouJu  or  entertain- 
ment.    They  were  too  fashionable,  and  too  much  hurried  to 
find  time  for  particular  friendships,  and  too  good  natured  and 
well  bred  to  make  invidious  distinctions,  so  that,  without 
gaining  very  much  either  of  esteem  or  affection,  they  pleased 


R"  ' 


I 


H' 


1    i 


:    1 


I     I 


V  ''I 

1         :     ' 


300 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


tl 


cverv  one    iii   the   einio    arouiK 


(1   til 


cm 


.'IIK 


1   tl 


lis    goiieri 


civility  of  theirs,  in  the  storm  which  \v;is  about  to  rise,  had 
its  use.'  In  the  hegiiining,  before  the  ti'inpest  broke  loose 
in  all  its  fury,  it  was  like  oil  poured  on  a_<j;itated  watirs, 
which  pro(bices  a  temporary  calm  immediately  round  the 
ship.  As  yet  the  storm  only  muttered  at  a  distance,  but 
Madame   was  distui'bed  by  anxious  presages.     In  her  case, 

"  Old  (!X|)((ri(!nc(!  actujilly  did  attain 
To  somctliinfjf  liko  ])r()i)hetic  strain." 

l>ut  ii  was  not  new  to  her  to  pro))hesy  in  vain.  I,  for  my 
j)art,  was  charme<l  with  these  exalted  visitors  of  aunt's,  and 
not  a  little  proutl  of  their  attention  to  her,  not  knowing  that 
they  showed  jjretty  much  the  sanu'  attention  to  every  one. 
While  I  was  dancing  on  air  with  the  thouuhts  of  troiiiix 
to  live  at  the  Flats,  of  the  beauties  of  CMarendon,  and  many 
other  delights  which  I  had  created  to  myself,  an  event  took 
])lace  that  plunged  us  all  in  sorrow  ;  it  was  the  death  of  the 
lovely  child  Catalina,  who  was  the  object  of  nuu^h  fondness 
to  lis  all,  for  my  parents,  bating  the  allowance  to  be  made 
for  enthusiasm,  were  as  fond  of  her  as  I  was  ;  Madame  had. 
set  her  heart  very  much  on  this  engaging  creature  ;  she 
mustered  uj)  all  her  fortitude  to  support  the  parents  of  her 
departed  favorite,  but  suffered  much  notwithstanding. 
Here  began  my  ac<]uaintance  with  sorrow.  We  went,  how- 
ever, to  the  Flats  in  autumu.  Our  family  consisted  of  a 
negro  girl,  and  a  soldier,  who  had  followed  my  father's 
fortunes  from  Scotland,  and  stuck  to  him  through  every 
change.  We  did  not  mean  to  farm,  but  had  merely  the 
garden,  orchard,  and  eiu'losure  for  hay,  two  cows,  a  horse 
for  my  father,  and  a  colt,  which,  to  my  great  delight,  w;'.s 
given  me  as  a  present.  Many  sources  of  comfort  and  amuse- 
ment were  now  cut  off  from  Madame,  her  nephew  and  his 


'For  a  sketch  of  Sir  Htmry  Mooro,  aee  Colonial  Ilist.  N.   F,  viii, 
197.     He  died  1769.— ilf. 


*  tr*!*— w^*'^*'**** 


MDY. 

Ji«I  this  ironcnil 
j'ont  to  rise,  I,n,l 
JH'st  broko  loose 
ritutod  M'iiU  rs, 
litcly  round  the 
|<'i  distance,  but 
III  her  case. 


''"•     I,  for  M.y 

•'^ofaimt's,  and 

f  '^ii()\vin<r(hat 

'*>  c'V('r\'  one, 

lights  of    o-,,i„(r 

•'"",  and  many 
an  e\-cnt  took 
'^'  'l<'ath  of  the 
"inch  fondness 
cc!  to  be  made 
1  -i^fadame  had 
<'i'C'nture  ;  she 
|)arents  of  her 
withstandin^r. 
^^e  went,  how- 
Jonsisted  of  a 
I'ly  father's 
n-ouirji  every 
1  niei-ely  the 
'"W«,  a  horse 
<lt'light,  wns 
'f  and  amuse- 
'low  and  Jiis 

^•^.  r.viri. 


Memoirs  of  an  Amkrioan  Lady. 


301 


lively  and  accoinplislied  wife  hud  left  her,  T)r.  Ogilvie  was 
removed  to  New  York,  and  had  a  successor  no  way  calcu- 
lated to  supply  his  place.  This  year  she  had  lost  her 
brother-in-law  C'ornernis  ('Uyler,'  whose  sound  sense  and 
intellij^ence  nnidc!  his  society  of  coiise(pience  to  her,  inde- 
])endent  of  the  great  esteem  and  affection  shi'  had  for  him. 
The  army,  among  whom  she  always  found  persons  of 
information  and  good  breeding,  in  whose  conversation  she 
couUl  take  jtleasure  which  might  be  truly  calle(l  such,  were 
gone.  Nothing  could  compensate,  in  her  opinion,  for  the 
privation  of  that  enjoyment  ;  she  I'cad,  but  then  the  people 
about  her  had  so  little  taste  for  reading,  that  she  had  not 
her  wonted  |)leasure  in  that,  for  want  of  some  one  with 
whom  she  could  discuss  the  topics  suggest c(l  by  her  studies. 


'  Tliis  ostinuiblii  cliaraeti^r  liad  for  tlii^  space  of  forty  years  (wliicli 
included  very  important  and  critical  conjunctures)  hcen  chief  uia<fis- 
trate  of  Albany,  and  its  district.  A  tsituation  calculated  todeniaiul  tin; 
utmost  iiiteyrity  and  impartiality,  aiul  to  (exercise;  all  the  jiowers  of  a 
mind,  acute,  vifriiant,  and  (-(unprehensive.  The  lens  he  was  amenable 
to  the  control  and  dlrecti(m  of  his  superiorw,  the  more  liable  was  he  to 
the  animadversions  of  his  fellow  citizens,  had  he  in  the  h^ast  departed 
from  that  rectitude  which  made  him  tlu!  object  of  their  confidence  and 
veneration.  lie  administennl  justice,  not  so  much  in  conformity  to 
written  laws,  as  to  that  rule  of  ecpiity  within  his  ^wn  breast,  th«  ap- 
jjlication  of  which  was  directed  by  sound  sense,  im])roved  by  experi- 
ence. I  by  no  means  insinuate,  that  he  either  neijlected  or  disobeyed 
those  laws,  by  which,  in  all  doubtful  cases  he  was  certainly  jjuided  ; 
but  that  the  uncorrupted  state  of  public  morals,  and  the  entire  confi- 
dence which  his  fellow  citizcms  rejiosed  in  his  jTohity,  rendered  appeals 
to  the  law,  for  the  most  part,  su|>ertiuous.  I  hav(i  heard  that  the 
family  of  the  Cuylers  was  originally  a  (Jerman  one  of  hijrh  rank. 
Whether  this  can  or  cannot  be  ascertained,  is  of  little  conse(iuenc(\ 
The  sterlinjr  worth  of  their  iniinediaie  ancestor,  and  his  long  and  faith- 
ful services  tc  the  jtubiic,  rullect  more  honor  (m  his  descendants  than 
any  length  of  pedigree. —  3fra.  Orant.  [Cornelius  Cuyler  was  an 
Albany  merchant,  some  years  alderman  of  the  second  ward,  mayor  of 
Albany,  commissioner  of  Indian  aflairs.  and  held  the  oHi  «•  of  magis- 
trate 8(mie  time,  which  long  service  in  various  capacities  led  Mrs.  (J rant 
to  attribute  to  him  forty  years  of  chief  magistracy. —  i/.J 


l^ 


I 


^1' 


302 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


y } 


It  was  111  this  poverty  of  society  sucli  as  she  was  aceustomecl 
to  enjoy,  that  slie  took  a  faiu^y  to  converse  nuich  with  me, 
to  retifret  my  want  of  education,  and  to  take  a  parti(!ular 
interest  in  my  emphjyments  and  mental  improvement.  That 
T  might  more  entirely  profit  by  her  attention,  she  recpiysted 
my  jiarents  to  let  me  jtass  the  winter  with  her  ;  this  invita- 
tion they  gladly  comj>lied  witii. 

The  wiiitei-  at  the  Flats  was  sutticieiitly  melancholy,  and 
rendered  less  agreeable  by  some  unj)leasant  neighbors  we 
had.  These  wei>'  a  family  from  New  England,  wlio  had 
been  preparing  to  occu)>y  lands  near  those  occii})ied  by  my 
father.  They  had  been  the  summer  before  recommended 
to  aunt's  generous  humanity,  as  honest  people,  who  merely 
wanted  a  shelter  in  a  room  in  her  empty  house,  till  they 
should  build  a  tem[»orary  hut  on  those  new  lands  which 
they  were  about  to  inhabit.  When  we  came,  the  time  j)er- 
mitted  to  them  had  long  elapsed,  but  my  father,  who  was 
exceedingly  Immaiie,  indulged  them  with  a  fortnight  more 
after  our  arrival,  on  the  pretence  of  the  sickness  of  a  child  ; 
and  there  they  sat,  and  would  not  remove  for  the  winter, 
unless  coercion  liad  been  used  for  that  i)urpose.  We  lived 
on  the  road  side  ;  there  was  at  that  time  a  i)er})etual  emi- 
graiion  going  on  fn>in  the  })rovinces  of  New  England  to 
our  back  settlements.  Our  ac(piaiiitance  witli  the  family 
who  kei>t  possession  beside  us,  and  witli  many  of  even  the 
better  sort,  who  came  to  bargain  with  my  father  about  his 
lands,  gave  us  more  insight  than  we  wished  into  the  preva- 
lent character  of  those  peo|>le,  whom  we  found  conceited, 
litigious,  and  selfish  beyond  Jueasure.  My  father  was  told 
that  the  only  safe  way  to  avoid  being  overreadied  bj  them 
in  a  l)argain,  was  to  give  them  a  k.nd  of  tacit  i)ermission  to 
sit  down  on  his  lands,  and  take  his  chance  -jf  settling  witfi 
them  when  they  were  brought  into  some  degree  of  cultiva- 
tion ;  for  if  one  did  bargain  with  them,  the  custom  was  to 
have  three  years  free  for  clearing,  at  the  end  of  which,  the 


L 


LDY. 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


303 


'as  accustomed 
I'l'ich  with  me, 
\^  a  p.'irticular 
■^'"K'lit.  That 
I,  she  recjuysted 
!'■ ;  this  iiivita- 

lunclioly,  and 

neiirhbors  we 

i"«',  who  Jiad 

ciipied  by  my 

iveoiiimeiided 

')  who  merely 

"'St',   till  they 
lands  wJiieh 

the  time  ])er- 
Iht,  who  was 
"tni^rht  more 
's«  of  a  child  ; 
'»'  the  winter, 
e-  ^Ve  lived 
''•p^'tual  emi- 

Kiigland  to 
''  the  family 

of  oven  the 
L'''  about  his 
<>  the  preva- 
1  conceited, 
or  was  told 
'^'^1 1)}  them 
'rmission  to 
'ttling  with 

of  cultiva- 
tom  was  to 
which,  the 


^ 


rents  or  purchase  money  was  paid.  By  that  time,  any  j)er- 
son  who  had  expended  much  labor  on  land,  would  rather 
pay  a  reasonable  price  or  rent  for  it,  than  be  removed. 

In  the  i»rogress  of  his  intercourse  with  tliese  very  vulgar, 
insolent,  and  truly  disagreeable  peoi»le,  my  father  began  to 
disrelish  the  thoughts  of  going  u}»  to  live  among  them. 
They  flocked  indeed  so  fast,  to  every  unoccupied  spot,  that 
their  malignant  and  envious  spii-it,  their  hatred  of  subordi- 
nation, and  their  indifferem'e  to  the  mother  country,  begun 
to  spread  like  a  taint  of  infection. 

These  illiberal  opinioiis,  which  produced  manners  ecjually 
illil)eral,  were  ])articularly  wounding  to  disbanded  oHicers, 
ami  to  the  real  patriots,  who  had  consulted  in  fornu'r  times 
the  happiness  of  the  country,  by  giving  their  zealous  coope- 
ration to  the  troops  sent  to  jtrotect  it.  These  two  classes 
of  people  begun  now  to  be  branded  as  the  slaves  of  arbitrary 
power,  and  all  tendencies  to  elegance  or  refinement  were 
despised  as  leading  to  aristocracy.  The  consecjuence  of  all 
this  was,  such  an  opi)osition  of  opinions,  as  led  people  of  the 
former  description  to  seek  each  other's  society  exclusively. 
Winter  was  the  only  time  that  distant  friends  met  there, 
and  to  avoid  the  chagrin  resulting  from  this  distempered 
state  of  society,  veterans  settled  in  the  country  were  too  apt 
to  devote  themselves  to  shooting  and  fishing,  taking  refuge 
from  languor  in  these  solitary  amusements. 

We  had  one  brave  and  royal  neighbor,  however,  who  saw 
us  often,  and  was  "every  inch  a  gentleman;"  this  was 
I'edrom,'  aunt's  brother-in-law,  in  whom  lived  the  spirit  of 
the  Schuylers,  and  who  was  our  next  neighbor  and  cordial 
friend.    lie  was  now  old,  detached  from  the  world,  and  too 


ill 


4 


'  Pedrom's  riisidence  was  on  the  Kromme  kil,  near  the  late  residtnice 
of  Robert  Dunlop,  opposite  the  cemetery.  This  crooked  (kromme) 
stream,  whicli  had  formerly  a  considerable  flow,  has,  like  all  the  cur- 
rents from  tlie  neighboring  hills,  shrank  to  a  feeble  brooklet,  only 
noticeable  in  time  of  freshet. —  Jf. 


I 


'  , 


|i?      I'M 


HI 


ii 


w 


304 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


lianl  of  licaring,  to  ho  au  easy  companion  :  yet  ho  had  much 
various  information,  and  was  endeared  to  us  by  simihirity 
of  principle. 

^Matters  were  Leginnini^  to  be  in  tliis  state  tlie  first  winter  I 
went  to  live  with  aunt.  Her  friends  were  mucli  dispersed  ;  all 
conversation  was  tainted  with  politics,  Cromwellian  i)olilic.s 
too,  which  of  all  things,  she  disliked.  Her  nephew,  (\)rtlandt 
Schuyler,  who  had  been  a  great  Nimrod  ever  since  he  could 
carry  a  gnn,  and  who  was  a  man  of  strict  lionor  and  nice 
feelings,  took  such  a  melancholy  view  of  things,  and  so  little 
relished  that  stamj)  act,  which  was  the  exclusive  subject  of 
all  conversation,  that  he  devoted  himself  more  and  more  to 
the  chase,  and  seemed  entirely  to  renounce  a  society  which 
he  had  never  greatly  loved.  i\s  I  shall  not  refer  to  him  again 
I  shall  only  mention  liere,  that  this  estimable  ])erson  was 
taken  away  from  the  evil  to  come  two  years  after,  by  a  i)re- 
malure  death,  being  killed  by  a  fall  from  his  horse  in  hunt- 
ing. What  sorrows  wei"e  hid  from  his  eyes  by  this  timely 
escai)e  from  scenes,  which  would  have  been  to  him  pecu- 
liarly wounding  ! 

If  Madame's  comforts  in  society  were  diminished,  her 
donu>stic  satisfactions  were  not  less  so.  By  the  time  I  came 
to  live  with  her,  iNIariamat  and  Hianamat'  were  almost 
suiterannuated,  and  had  lost,  in  a  great  measure,  the  restrain- 
ing power  they  used  to  exercise  over  their  respective  off- 
spring. Their  woolly  heads  were  snow  white,  and  they  were 
become  st)  feeble,  tlu.t  they  sat  each  in  her  gi.at  chair  at 
the  oi>posite  side  of  tlie  fire  ;  their  wonted  jealousy  was  now 
embittered  to  rancor,  and  their  love  of  tobacco  greater 
than  ever.  They  were  arrived  at  that  happy  j)eriod  of  ease 
and  indolence,  which  left  them  at  full  liberty  to  smoke  and 
scold  the  M'hole  day  long  ;  this  they  did  with  such  un- 
wearied i)erseverance,  and  in  a  manner  so  ludicrous,  that 
to  us  young  people  they  were  a  })erpetual  comedy. 

'  Mat,  or  mater,  mother  or  superior  of  the  negroes. —  M. 


ADY. 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


305 


ft  lie  had  much 
'«  ^y  siniihirify 

H'  first  winti'i- 1 
<lis]K'r.sc'(l  ;  all 
NVt'lh'aii  j»<)litic',s 
''H',  C^M-tlaiult 
.^iiice  he  could 
loiior  and   nice 
(s,  and  so  little 
sive  subject  of 
t'  and  more  to 
society  which 
r  to  him  again 
'h'  })erson  was 
ifter,  hy  a  j„.e- 
hoi'se  in  hunt- 
l>y  this  timely 
to  him   |)ecu- 

ininished,  lier 
t'  time  I  camo 
were   almost 
',  the  resti-ain- 
L'sj)ective  off- 
lid  they  were 
fivat  chair  at 
iisy  was  now 
U'co   greater 
i-'i-iod  of  ease 
0  smoke  and 
th  such   nn- 
licrous,  that 

<^y. 


Sorely  no\\  did  aunt  lament  the  promise  she  had  kept  mo 
faithfully,  never  to  sell  any  of  the  colonel's  negroes.  There 
was  so  little  to  do  f<fr  fourteen  persons,  except  the  business 
they  created  for  each  other,  and  it  was  so  iin|)ossible  to 
keep  them  from  too  freely  sharing  the  plenty  of  her  liberal 
house,  that  idleness  and  abundance  literally  began  to  cor- 
ru})t  them. 

All  these  privations  and  uneasinesses  will  in  some  measure 
account  for  such  a  }»erson  as  Madame  taking  such  pleasure 
in  the  society  of  an  overgrown  child.  IJut  then  she  v^:\h 
glad  to  escai»e  from  dark  pros})ects  aiul  cross  politics,  to  the 
amusement  derived  from  the  innocent  cheerfulness,  natural 
to  that  time  of  life.  A  j)assion  for  reading,  and  a  very 
conn)rehensive  memory  too,  had  furnished  my  mind  with 
more  variety  of  knowledge,  than  fell  to  the  lot  of  those, 
who  living  in  large  families,  and  sharing  the  amusements 
of  childhood,  were  iu)t,  like  me,  driven  to  that  oidy  resource. 
All  this  will  help  to  account  for  a  degree  of  confidence  and 
favor,  daily  increasing,  which  ended  in  my  being  admitted 
to  sleej)  in  a  little  bed  beside  her,  which  never  happened  to 
any  other.  In  the  winter  nights  our  conversations  often 
encroached  on  the  earlier  houi's  of  morning.  The  future 
appeared  to  her  dubious  and  cheerless,  which  was  one  rea- 
son, I  supj)0sc,  that  her  active  miiul  turned  solely  on  retro- 
spection. She  saw  that  I  listened  with  delighted  attention 
to  the  tales  of  other  times,  which  no  one  could  recount  so 
well.  These,  too,  were  doubly  interesting,  as,  like  the 
sociable  angel's  conversation  with  our  first  father,  they  re- 
lated to  the  origin  and  formation  of  all  I  saw  around  me  ; 
they  afforded  food  for  reflection,  to  which  I  was  very  early 
addicted,  and  hourly  increased  my  veneration  for  her  whom 
I  already  considered  as  my  polar  star.  The  great  love  I 
had  for  her  first  gave  interest  to  lier  details  ;  and  again,  the 
nature  of  these  details  increased  my  esteem  for  the  nariator. 
Thus  passed  this  winter  of  felicity,  which  so  much  enlarged 

39 


:l| 


&* 


V- 


I 


iTI 


306 


Mkmoihs  of  an  Amkkican  Lady. 


my  stock  of  ideas,  tliat  in  looking  back  u|»on  it,  I   tlioiight 
I  liad  lived  throo  years  in  one. 


(11 A  ITER  LV. 

RKTrUV  TO    IlIK   Fl.A'IS SlMMKU  .\mI  SKMKNTS. 

►oITIMiMEK  eanie,  and  with  it  visitors,  as  nsual,  to  Madame 
from  New  Vork  and  otliei*  |)la<".'s  ;  aniont^  whom,  I  remem- 
ber, were  her  nieces  Mrs.  \j.  and  Mrs.  ('.  I  went  to  tl»e 
Flats,  and  was,  asnsnal,  kept  very  close  to  my  needle-work  ; 
but  thoujj^h  there  was  no  variety  to  arnnse  me,  summer  slid 
by  very  fast.  My  mind  was  continually  occu])ied  with 
aunt,  and  all  the  j)assages  of  her  life.  My  greatest  pleasure 
was  to  read  over  again  the  books  I  had  read  to  her,  and 
recollect  licr  obs(>rvations  upon  them.  I  oi'Um  got  up  and 
went  out  to  the  door  to  look  at  jtlaces  where  jtarticular 
things  had  hapjtened.  She  spent  the  winter's  nights  in  re- 
trospections of  her  ]»ast  life  ;  and  I  spent  the  summer  days 
in  retrospections  of  these  svinter  nig:;ts.  liut  these  were 
not  my  only  i)leasures  The  banks  of  the  river  and  the 
oi)])osite  scenery  delighted  me  ;  and,  adopting  all  aunt's 
tastes  and  attachments,  T  made  myself  believe  I  was  very 
fond  of  Pedrom  and  Susanna  !!\[uet,  as  the  widow  of  Jere- 
miah was  called.  jNFy  attention  to  them  excited  their  kind- 
ness ;  and  the  borj-owed  sentiment,  on  my  part,  soon  became 
a  real  one.  These  old  friends  were  very  annising.  l>ut 
then  I  had  numberless  young  friends,  who  shared  my  atten- 
tion, and  were  in  their  own  way  very  amusing  too.  These 
were  the  objects  of  my  earliest  cares  in  the  morning,  and 
my  needless  solicitude  all  day.  I  had  marked  down  in  a 
list,  between  thirty  and  forty  nests  of  various  kinds  of  birds. 
It  was  an  extreme  dry  summer  ;  and  I  saw  the  parent  birds, 
whom  I  diligently  watched,  often  panting  with  heat,  and, 


; 


Si-L 


i»y. 


Mkmoius  of  an  Amkhican  Lady 


307 


I  it,  I   (lioiight 


ISICMKNTS. 

l.ll,   (o  .MjldiUlK^ 

liniii,  I  rcjiicm- 
I    Weill    to   the 
■  iH'('(II('-\V(»rk  ; 
(',  su?iiMU'r  slid 
occupied   with 
eatest  pleasuro 
(1   to   her,   and 
cii  i^^ot  up  and 
lere   particular 
s  nitrhls  in  re- 
suiMiner  days 
ut   these   were 
river  and   the 
lin<if  all   aunt's 
■e  I   was  very 
'i<low  of  Jere- 
ed  their  kljid- 
t,  soon  became 
niusintr.     IJut 
ired  my  atton- 
;  too.     These 
morning,  and 
'd  down   in  a 
cinds  of  hirds. 
'  parent  birds, 
ith  heat,  and, 


.as  I  thought,  fatiguecj.     After  all  I  had   heard   and  ween  of 
aunt,  I   thought    it    incumbent    on   me  to  be  good  and  kind 


to  some  liemg  that  neefled  my    assistan 


'1 


o   mv    lellow- 


erealures  my  power  di<l  not   extend  ;  theretore   I  wisely  re- 
)lved  to  adapt    my    mode  of    benelicence  to    the    sphere  of 


H( 


a( 


tion  assigniMJ  to  me,  and  deeidt'(l  upon  the  judicious 
K(^heme  of  assisting  all  these  birds  to  feecl  their  young.  My 
c<)nfe(lerate  Marian  (our  negro  girl),  entered  heartily  into 
this  plan  ;  and  it  was  the  business  of  the  morning,  before 
tasks  conmu'uced,  to  shuightei-  innumerable  inse(;tH,  and 
gather  <piantities  of  ch'-rries  and  other  fruit  for  that  i»ur- 
pose,  I'oitions  of  this  provision  we  laid  besi<le  every  nest, 
and  then  a|»plaude(l  ourselves  for  saving  the  poor  birds 
fatigue.  This,  from  a  pursuit,  became  a  passion.  Every 
spare  moment  was  d(!Vote<l  to  it,  and  every  hour  made  new 
discoveries  of  the  nature  and  habits  of  our  winged  friends, 
which  we  considered  as  amply  recompensing  our  Labors. 

The  most  eager  student  of  natural  philosophy  could  not 
be  nu)re  attentive  to  those  ol)jects,  or  more  intent  on  making 
discoveries.  One  sad  discovery  we  made,  that  mortified 
us  exireedingly.  The  mocking-bird  is  very  scarce  and  very 
shy  in  this  northern  district.  A  pair  came,  however,  to 
our  inex[)ressible  delight,  and  built  a  nest  in  a  very  high 
tree  in  our  garden.  Never  was  joy  like  ours.  At  the  im- 
minent risk  of  our  necks  we  nuide  shift  to  ascend  to  this 
lofty  dwelling  during  the  absence  of  the  owners  ;  birds  we 
found  none  ;  but  three  eggs  of  a  color  so  e(|uivocal,  that, 
deciding  tlH4K)int  whetherthey  were  green  or  blue,  furnished 
nuitter  of  debate  for  the  rest  of  the  day.  To  see  these 
treasures  was  delightful,  and  to  refrain  from  touching  them 
impossible.  One  of  the  yoiuig  we  resolved  to  appropriate, 
contrary  to  our  general  humane  ))rocedure  ;  and  the  next 
weighty  affair  to  be  discussed,  Avas  the  form  and  size  of  the 
cage  which  was  to  contain  this  embryo  warbler.  The 
parents,  however,  arrived.     On  examining  the  premises,  by 


:Ti 


^■^ 


1 

! ! 

,   ! 

i 

1 

■ 

i 

1 

Mil 


i 
I 


I 


t. 


I  I 

Nil 


!      I 


308 


Mkmoiks  of  an  American  Lady. 


soiiu'  mysterious  mode  ot  (heir  own,  they  discovered  that 
their  secMvt  had  heeii  e.\j)lored,  niid  tliat  |>rofane  hands  had 
touched  the  ohjects  of  all  their  teiidi'riiess.  Their  plaintive 
cries  we  too  well  understood.  'I'hal  whole  eveuinif  and  all 
tlu^  next  day  tlu-y  were  l»u^ied  in  the  orchard  ;  whiletheir 
loud  lainentatious,  constantly  reiterate(l,  pii-rced  us  with 
remorse.  We  soon  saw  the  garden  nest  t'orsaki'U  :  and  a 
little  further  examination  soon  convinced  us,  that  the 
violated  oj^jjfs  had  heen  transported  to  another,  where,  how- 
ever, they  were  not  hatched  ;  the  delicate  instincts,  which 
directed  these  creatures  to  forin  a  new  nest,  and  carry  off 
their  eggs,  on  finding  they  had  been  handled,  did  not,  at 
the  same  time,  inform  them,  that  eggs  carried  away,  and 
.shaken  by  that  motion  during  the  process  of  incub.ation, 
cannot  jtroduce  anything. 

The  great  barn,  wliich  I  formerly  describi'd,  afVorded 
scope  for  our  observations  of  this  nature  ;  and  liere  we  re- 
marked a  phenomenon,  tlu.t  I  am  still  at  ;i  loss  to  .account 
for,  \\\  the  highest  part  of  th.'it  sj)acious  and  lofty  roof, 
multitudes  of  swallows,  of  the  martin  species,  mjule  their 
nests.  These  were  constructed  of  mud  or  cl.'iy  as  usu.al, 
and,  in  the  ordinary  course  of  things,  lasted,  witli  some 
repairs,  from  year  to  year.  This  summer,  however,  being 
unusually  liot  and  dry,  the  nests,  in  great  numbers,  cracked 
and  fell  down  on  the  tioor,  with  tlie  young  ones  in  them. 
Wo  often  found  them  in  this  situation,  but  always  found 
the  birds  in  them  alive  and  unhurt  ;  and  saw  the  old  ones 
come  to  feed  them  on  the  floor,  which  they  did  M'ith  such 
eager  confidence,  that  they  often  bruslied  so  near  as  to 
touch  us.  Now  we  could  no  other  way  account  for  the 
nests  always  coming  down  with  the  birds  unhurt  in  them, 
but  by  supposing  th.at  the  swallows  watclied  the  fracture 
of  the  nests,  and  when  they  saw  them  about  to  fall,  came 
round  the  descending  fabric,  and  kept  it  in  a  kind  of  equi- 
librium.    Of  these  birds  we  stood  in  such  profound  awe, 


iUY. 


MUMOIKS   OF    AN    AmKRICAN    LaDV. 


309 


|isc<)V('r('<l    lliat 
.•IMC  li.'iiids  had 


I' 


K'lr  I'laiiitivc! 


'VI ,<r  and  ;,II 

'1  ;   uliilctlicii- 
|»'ic{'d   IIS   uith 


I'sakcii 


and 


"s,  flnit  tlu! 
•I",  uIkto,  Ii()\v- 
ii>*tincts,  wliich 
,  ■•md  cany  off 
''!>  «li<l  nul,  at 
•ic'l  away,  and 
of  incubation, 

•ibcd,  afl'ordcd 
nd  hero  wo  ro- 

oss  to  account 
md  loftv  roof, 
ics,  rnadc  their 

clay  as  usual, 
'<',  with   some 
lOAvever,  l)cin<i- 
iibci-s,  cracked 
ones   in  them, 
always  found 
y  the  old  ones 
li<l  with  sucli 
o  near  as  to 
count  for  the 
"'■rt  in  them, 
i  tlie  fracture 
to  fall,  came 
kind  of  equi- 
■ofound  awe, 


that  we  ni'vcr  itrotitc(l  l»y  the  accident  which  put  thciii  in 
our  power  ;  we  wiMild  not  in<lcc<|,  lor  any  consideration, 
have  touclic(l  tlicni,  especially  alter  the  sad  ad\ cntur*'  ol" 
the  iMockin;;-   l»ird,  which    hung   very  heavy  upon   lUii-  cuu- 


Hcu'uces. 


u? 


Autumn  came,  and  aunt  (*ame  at  the  ap|)uintc(l  da\,  t) 
aimiversary  of  his  death,  to  \isit  the  tonih  of  her  lieloved 
consort.  This  cei'enionv  always  took  place  at  that  time. 
She  concluded  it  with  a  visit  to  us,  and  an  earnest  ri'cpu'st 
for  my  returniii!^  with  her,  and  reniainini^^  the  win'.er. 


t'lIAlTKU  LVI. 


^Lki.axciioi.y  Pj:i:sa(;i:s  —  'rruiui.ioNcK  ok  iiik  ri;oi'i,i;. 

XlIE  conversations  between  my  father  and  aunt  assumed 
a  melancholy  cast.  Their  hopes  of  a  j^olden  ai,^e  in  that 
coimtry  (now  that  the  flames  of  war  wei-e  entirely  (pu-nclied) 
grew  weaker.  The  ri'})eal  of  the  stam|»  act  occasionccl 
excessive  joy,  but  ])i'oduced  little  gratitude.  The  youth  of 
the  town,  before  that  news  arrived,  had  abandoned  their 
wonted  sports,  and  begun  to  anmse  tliemselves  with  break- 
ing the  windows  and  destroying  the  furniture  (tf  two  or 
three  different  peoj)le,  who  had,  in  succession,  been  sus- 
pected of  being  stamp-masters  in  embryo.  .My  father  grew 
fonder  than  ever  of  fisliing  and  shooting,  because  birds  and 
tisli  did  not  talk  of  tyraimy  or  taxes.  Sometimes  we  were 
refreshed  by  a  yisit  from  some  of  aunt's  nephews,  the  sons 
of  the  mayor.  They  always  left  us  in  great  good  humor, 
for  they  spoke  respectfully  of  our  dear  king,  and  dearer 
country.  But  this  sunshine  was  transient  ;  they  were  soon 
succeeded  by  Obadiah  or  Zepliauiah,  from  llami)shire  or 
Connecticut,  who  came  in  without  knocking ;  sat  down 
without  invitation  ;  and  lighted  their  pipe  without  cere- 


(1 


J^' 


810 


Mkmoius  (»f  an  Amkhican  Lady. 


I 


»  I' 


'I  I 


v.      I 


iiioDV  ;  tlicn  t.'ilkcd  of  l)iiyin<x  lainl  ;  hikI,  tinally,  ln'tynu  a 
discourse  on  )Militics,  wliifli  would  have  done  honor  to 
I'raisc  (Jod  riarclMincs,  or  any  of  the  nii'inlicrs  of  Ids  parlia- 
nu'iil.  What  is  very  singular,  is,  that  thouj^h  the  jihdn- 
spokfU  and  manly  natives  of  our  setth'Uient  had  a  j^oneral 
dislike  to  the  eharaeler  ol'  those  liliifious  and  lo(|uaeious 
pretenders,  such  are  the  inconsistencies  into  which  people 
are  h'd  l»v  part  v,  that  tliev  insensiWJv  ado|>led  nianv  of  their 
notions.  With  .Madanu'  I  was  (piile  free  fr<ini  this  plague. 
None  of  that  chosen  race  e\ cr  enlere(l  her  (h)or.  She  valiu'd 
tinu'  too  much  to  devote  it  to  a  set  of  people  whom  she 
consideri'd  as  «;really  wanliuL,^  in  sincerity,  I  speak  now  of 
the  Hampshire  and  Connecticut  people.  In  towns  ami  at 
sea-ports  the  old  leaNcn  had  yiven  way  to  tliat  liberality 
which  was  produced  hy  a  bi'tter  cdm-ation,  and  an  intercourse 
with  stranu'crs,  .Much  as  aunt's  loyal  and  patriotic  feelinjjjs 
were  hurt  I»y  the  new  mode  of  talkinj;  which  jjrevailed,  lier 
l»cnevolence  \\  as  not  cooled,  nor  her  mode  ()f  living  chanjjed. 
I  continued  to  jjjrow  in  favor  with  aunt  this  winter  ;  for 
tlu'  Itest  |)ossil>le  reasons,  I  was  tlie  oidy  one  of  the  family 
that  would  sit  still  with  lier.  The  younij  people  in  the 
house  were  l)y  no  means  coiiiijenial  with  hei-  ;  and  each  had 
a  love  affair  in  hand  fast  rijiening  into  matrimony,  that  took 
up  all  their  tliout^hls.  ]Mr.  II.  our  cl»ai)lain,  was  plausible, 
but  superficial,  vain,  and  and>iti<  '^'  Jle  too  was  busied  in 
hatching  a  project  of  another  ki  id.  On  i)retenee  of  study, 
he  soon  ri'tiri'd  to  his  room  after  meals,  dreading  no  doubt 
that  aunt  might  be  in  possession  of  Ithuriel's  spear,  or  to 
speak  without  a  tigui-e,  might  either  fathom  his  shallowness 
or  detect  his  ]»roject.  One  of  these  discoveries  he  knew 
would  sink  him  in  her  opinion,  and  the  other  exclude  him 
from  her  house.  F(jr  my  own  ]>art,  I  was  always  })uzzling 
myself  to  consider,  why  I  did  not  more  love  and  reverence 
IMr.  II.,  who  I  took  it  for  granted  must  needs  be  good,  wise, 
and  learned  ;  for  1  thought  a  clergyman  was  all  but  inspired. 


.\I»V, 


Mkmoihh  of  an  Amkuican  Lady. 


311 


liiial 


ly,  l.c,.; 


one    I 


,'aii   !i 


l<»l|()|-     to 


rims  thiiikiiiL;,  I  \voii<U'I(mI   why  I  'li'l   not  ftn-l  for  Mr.  II. 


[<'i>'of  Ins  p.'uliii- 
h'^'li  the  pl.-iiii- 

M     hiul   Jl   <'('l|(.,;il 


Mild     I 


•><|llilcioilH 


!<•    Wlllcll 


|»('0|»lo 

f<l  Iililiiy  of  their 
"II  tins  plajifiu'. 
">■■     >*Ii(' valued 
I'lt'  whom   she 
'  sjK'ak  now  of 
"  towns  and  at 
fliMt  lilu'i-ality 
d  an  intci'courso 
It  riot  ic  ffcIiiKrs 
li  I'rcvailcd,  her 
livinir  chancre,  j^ 
his  winter  ;  for 

0  of  tJie  faniily 
|»<'0|)k'  in  tho 

;  and  each  had 
iiony,  that  took 
was  plausible, 
'  was  busied  in 
I'lK-e  of  study, 
ding  no  doubt 
's  sjjear,  or  to 
is  shallowness 
'i-ies  he  knew 
I-  exclude  hinx 
ways  ])uzzling 
iiid  reverence 
Je  good,  wise, 

1  but  inspired. 


w 


hat  I  felt  for  aunt  in  some  degree  ;  but  unfortunately 
Mr.  11.  was  a  true  bred  native  of  Conneetieut,  which  perhaps 
helped  more  than  any  intuitive  penetration  to  prevent  any 
excess  of  veneration.  Aunt  and  I  read  Ibiniet's  memoirs 
and  some  biog.-aphy  this  winter,  and  talkeil  at  least  over 
nuieli  geography  and  natural  history.  Here  iiuleed,  I  was 
in  some  degree  <iblige(l  to  Mr.  li.  1  mean  for  a  \v\y  lessons 


th 


dob 


lie  had  t< 


diti 


»f  Shakt 


I 


on  llu'  gM»i)e.  lie  tiad  too  an  coition  ol  >nakespeare 
have  been  trying  but  in  vain  to  ree(»llect  what  iiiint  said  of 
this.  Not  much  certainly,  but  she  was  much  pleased  with 
the  lOssay  on  Man,  etc.  ^ Cl  I  somehow  uiiderslooil  that 
Shakespeare  was  an  admire<l  author,  and  was  not  a  little 
mortilled  when  I  found  myself  unable  |i>  appreciate  his 
merits.  I  sujipose  my  taste  lia<l  bt'cn  vitiated  by  bombast 
trage<lies  I  had  read  atColoiii'l  K's.  I  thought  them  grossly 
familiar,  and  very  inferior  to  Cato,  whom  aunt  had  taught 
me  to  admire?  ;  in  short  I  was  ignorant,  and  be<'ause  I  could 
read  .Milton,  did  not  know  my  (»wii  ignorance.  I  did  not 
expect  to  meet  nature  in  a  play,  and  therefore  did  not 
recogni/.e  ber.  'Tis  not  to  be  eonceived  how  I  |»u/.zled  over 
Ilandet,  or  how  bis  assumed  imubiess  and  abuse  of  Ophelia 
confounded  me.  Othello's  jealousy,  and  the  manner  in 
which  he  exi)ressed  it,  were  (piite  beyond  my  eomprebeiision. 
I  mention  these  tilings  as  a  warning  to  other  young  peo- 
ple not  to  admire  by  roti',  but  to  wait  the  unfolding  of  their 
own  laste,  if  they  would  derive  real  pleasure  from  the  works 
of  ifcnius.  I  rather  imaitine  I  was  afniid  aunt  would  think 
I  devoted  too  much  time  to  wbat  F  tbeii  considered  as  a 
trijilna  book.  For  I  remember  reading  Hamlet  the  third 
or  fourtli  time,  in  a  frosty  night,  by  moonlight,  in  the  back 
porch.  This  reiterated  )»erusal  Avas  not  in  conse<iuence  of 
any  great  i)leasure  it  afforded  nie  ;  l)ut  I  was  studiously 
laborintr  to  discover  the  excellence  I  thought  it  must  needs 
coutahi  ;  yet  with  more  diligence  than  .success.     Madame 


,t 


1- 


'i:\ 


^^k 


312 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


m 


Ml    i 


was  at  tliis  time  I  iinngine,  foreseeing  a  storm,  and  trying 
to  withdraw  lier  mind  as  mucli  as  i)ossible  from  earthly 
objects. 

Forty  years  before  this  period,  a  sister  of  the  deceased 
coh)nel  had  married  a  very  worthy  man  of  tlie  name  of 
Wendell.  lie  being  a  i)erson  of  an  active,  enterprising  dis- 
position, and  possessing  more  })ortable  wealth  than  usually 
fell  to  the  share  of  the  natives  there,  was  induced  to  join 
some  great  commercial  com})any  near  Ijoston,  and  settled 
there.  He  was  highly  prosj)er()us  and  much  beloved,  and 
for  a  while  cultivated  a  constant  commerce  with  the  friends 
he  left  beliind.  When  he  :lied,  however,  his  wife,  who  was 
a  meek,  benevolent  woman,  without  distrust,  and  a  stranger 
to  business,  was  very  ill-treate<l  :  lier  sons,  who  had  been 
married  in  the  country,  died.  Their  connections  secured 
the  family  pro[)erty  for  their  children.  In  the  primitive 
days  of  New  York,  a  marriage  settlement  was  an  unheard 
of  thing.  Far  from  her  native  home,  having  out-lived  her 
friends,  helpless  and  uncomplaining,  this  good  woman,  who 
had  lived  all  her  days  in  the  midst  of  deserved  affluence  and 
affection,  was  now  stri}tped  by  chicanery  of  all  her  rights, 
and  sinking  into  proverty  without  a  friend  or  comforter. 
Aunt,  immediately  upon  hearing  this,  set  on  foot  a  negotia- 
tion to  get  Airs.  \Ven<lell's  affairs  regulated,  so  that  she 
might  have  the  means  of  living  Avith  comfort  in  a  country 
in  which  long  residence  had  naturalized  her  ;  or  that  failing, 
to  bring  her  home  to  reside  with  herself.  IVrhaps  in  the 
whole  course  of  her  life,  she  had  not  exi)erienced  so  much 
of  the  depravity  of  human  nature  as  this  inquiry  unfolded 
to  her.  The  negotiation,  however,  cheered  and  busied  her 
at  a  time  when  she  greatly  needed  sonu>  exertion  of  mind  to 
check  the  current  of  thought  i>roduced  by  the  rapid  and 
astonishing  change  of  manners  and  sentiments  around  her. 
But  in  our  i)rovince  there  were  two  classes  of  people  who 
absolutely  seemed  let  loose  by  the  demon  of  discord,  for  the 


!! 


Lady. 

storm,  and  trying 
nhlo  from  earthly 

V  of  tlie  deceased 

I  of  the  name  of 
',  enterprising  dis- 

ulth  than  usually 
s  induced  to  join 
^ston,  and  settled 
uch  behaved,  and 
u  with  the  friends 
!iis  wife,  wlio  was 
St,  and  a  stranger 
IS,  who  had  been 
inections  secured 
111   the  primitive 

was  an  unheard 
ing  out-lived  lier 
ood  woman,  who 
ved  affluence  and 
3f  all  her  rights, 
id  or  comforter. 

II  foot  a  negotia- 
ted, so  that  slie 
ort  in  a  country 
;  or  tiiat  failing. 
Perhaps  in  the 
•ienced  so  much 
iiquiry  unfolded 

.'Hid  busied  her 
i-tion  of  mind  to 
r  the  rapid  and 
'uts  around  her. 
I  of  pe()i)le  who 
discord,  for  the 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


313 


destruction  of  pul)lic  peace  and  private  confidence.  One  of 
these  was  com])osed  of  lawyers,  who  multii)lied  so  fast  that 
one  would  think  tliey  rose  like  mushrooms  from  the  earth. 
For  many  years  one  lawyer  was  sufficient  for  the  whole  set- 
tlement. But  the  swarm  of  these,  which  had  made  so  sud- 
den and  portentous  an  ap|)earance,  had  been  encouraged  to 
choose  that  i)rofession,  because  a  wide  field  was  open  for 
future  contention,  merely  from  the  candor  and  simplicity  of 
the  last  generation. 

Xot  in  tlie  least  distrusting  each  other,  nor  aware  of  liie 
sudden  rise  of  the  value  of  laruls,  these  primitive  colonists 
got  large  grants  from  government,  to  encourage  their  efforts 
in  the  early  stages  of  cultivation  ;  these  lands  being  first 
purchased,  for  some  petty  consideration,  from  the  Indians, 
who  alone  knew  the  laud  marks  of  that  illimitable  forest. 

The  boundaries  of  such  hirge  grants,  when  afterwards 
confirmed  by  governinent,  were  distiuguished  by  the  terms 
used  by  the  Indians,  who  pointed  them  out  ;  and  very  ex- 
traordinary marks  they  were.  For  instance,  one  that  I 
recollect.  "  We  exchange  Avitli  our  brother  Cornelius  Ken- 
"  selaer,  for  so  many  strouds,  guns,  etc.,  the  lands  beginning 
"  at  the  beaver  creek,  going  on  northward,  to  the  great 
"fallen  plane  tree,  where  our  tribe  slei)tlast  summer  ;  then 
"  eastward,  to  the  three  great  cedars  on  the  hillock  ;  then 
"  westward,  strait  to  the  wild  duck  swamp  ;  and  strait  on 
"from the  swamp  to  the  turn  in  the  beaver  creek  where  the 
"  old  dam  was."' 

Such  are  the  boundaries  seriously  described  in  this  manner, 
in  one  of  the  earliest  patents.  The  only  mode,  then  exist- 
ing, of  fixing  those  vague  limits  was  to  mark  large  trees 
which  grew  at  tiie  corners  of  the  property,  with  the  owner's 


'  The  boundless  wilderness  was  tlioufyht  to  afford  sucli  an  inexhaust- 
ible region  for  townships,  domains,  settliments,  farms,  etc.,  that 
boundaries  were  loosely  described,  whether  I'or  large  or  small  tracts. 
(See  note,  p.  35. — M. 

40 


Hi. 


I    ! 


l1 


i 

1  j 

' 

'  ii 

•1 

314 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


name  deeply  cut,  along  with  the  dato  of  the  patent,  etc., 
after  blazing,  that  is  to  say,  cutting  deeply  into  the  tree,  for 
a  plain  space  to  liold  this  inscription. 

In  tliis  primitive  manner  were  all  the  estates  in  the  pro- 
vince bounded.  Towards  the  sea  this  did  very  well,  as  the 
patents,  in  a  manner,  bounded  each  other  ;  and  every  one 
took  care  to  prevent  the  encroachments  of  his  neighbor. 
But  in  the  interior  people  took  great  stretches  of  land  here 
and  there,  where  there  were  not  j»atented  lands  adjoining  ; 
there  being  no  continuity  of  fertile  ground  except  on  the 
banks  of  streams.  The  oidy  security  the  jmblic  bad  against 
these  trees  being  cut  down,  or  others  at  a  greater  distance 
marked  in  their  stead,  was  a  law  which  made  such  attempts 
penal.  This  was  a  very  nugatory  threat ;  it  being  iin})ossi- 
ble  to  prove  such  an  offence.  Crimes  of  this  nature  en- 
croaching on  the  property  of  individuals,  I  believe,  rarely 
happened  :  but  to  enlarge  one's  boundary,  by  taking  in  a 
little  of  King  George's  ground,  to  use  a  provincial  i)hrase, 
was  considered  as  no  great  harm  ;  and,  besides,  many  pos- 
sessed extensive  tracts  of  land  unquestioned,  merely  on  the 
strength  of  Indian  grants  unsanctioned  by  govenmient. 
One  in  particular,  the  proudest  man  I  ever  knew,  had  a  law- 
suit with  the  king,  for  more  land  than  would  form  a  Ger- 
man principality.  Xow  that  the  inundation  of  litigious  new 
settlers,  from  Massachusetts'  bounds,  had  awakened  the 
spirit  of  inquiry,  to  call  it  no  worse,  every  day  produced  a 
fresh  law-suit,  and  all  of  the  same  nature,  about  ascertain- 
ing boundaries.  In  one  instance,  where  a  gentleman  was 
supposed  to  be  unfairly  possessed  of  a  vast  tract  of  tine  land, 
a  confederacy  of  British  officers,  I  nuist  confess,  questioned 
his  right ;  applying  beforehand  for  a  grant  of  sucli  lands  af 
they  could  prove  the  possessor  entitled  to  ;  and  contributing 
among  them  a  sum  of  money  to  carry  on  this  great  law-suit, 
wdiich  having  been  given  against  theniin  the  province,  they 
apftealed  to  the  board  of  trade  and  plantations  at  home. 


Mi 


Lady. 

the  patent,  etc., 
into  the  tree,  for 

tates  in  the  pro- 
very  well,  as  the 
;  and  every  one 
of  liis  iieigjihor. 
lies  of  land  here 
ands  adjoining  ; 
id  except  on  the 
iblic  had  against 
greater  distance 
de  snch  attempts 
it  being  irnpossi- 
this   nature   en- 
I  believe,  rarely 
,  by  taking  in  a 
I'ovincial  i)hrase, 
sides,  many  pos- 
1,  merely  on  the 
l>y  government, 
inew,  had  a  law- 
dd  form  a  Ger- 
of  litigious  new 
awakened  the 
day  produced  a 
bout  ascertain- 
gentleman  was 
•act  of  fine  land, 
i'ess,  questioned 
•f  such  lands  a," 
lid  coiitributincf 
'  great  law-suit, 
'  province,  they 
Lions   at  home. 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


315 


\ 


Here  the  uncertainty  of  tlie  law  was  very  glorious  indeed  ; 
and  lience,  from  the  gainful  [)rospect  opening  before  them, 
swarms  of  j)etulant,  half-educated  young  men,  started  one 
knew  not  whence.  And  as  these  great  law-suits  were  matter 
of  general  concern,  no  one  knowing  whose  turn  might  be 
next,  all  conversation  begun  to  be  infected  with  litigious 
cant  ;  and  every  thing  seemed  unstable  and  perplexed. 


CHAPTER  LVII. 

SeITLERS    of    a    new  DESCRll'TION  —  MaDAME's    CiIAPLAIN. 

.nLNOTlIEIi  class  of  people  contributed  their  share  to 
destroy  the  (piiet  and  order  of  the  country.  While  the 
great  army,  that  had  now  returned  to  Britain,  had  been 
stationed  in  America,  the  money  they  spent  there,  had,  in  a 
great  measure,  centred  in  New  York,  where  many  ephemeral 
adveuturers  begun  to  flourish  as  merchants,  who  lived  in  a 
gay  and  even  profuse  style,  and  affected  the  language  and 
manners  of  the  army  on  which  they  depended.  Elated  with 
sudden  prosjterity,  those  people  attempted  every  thing  that 
could  increase  their  gains  ;  and,  finally,  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  Spanish  war,  fitted  out  several  privateers,  which, 
being  sent  to  cruise  near  the  mouth  of  the  gulf  of  Florida, 
captured  several  valuable  prizes.  jVIoney  so  easily  got  was 
as  lightly  spent,  and  proved  indeed  ruinous  to  those  who 
shared  it  ;  they  being  thus  led  to  indulge  in  expensive 
haV)its,  which  continued  after  the  means  that  sup})lied  them 
were  exhausted.  At  the  departure  of  the  army,  trade  lan- 
guished among  tliese  new  people  ;  their  British  creditors 
grew  clamorous  ;  the  primitive  inhabitants  looked  cold  upon 
them  ;  and  nothing  remained  for  them  but  that  self-banish- 
ment, which,  in  that  country,  was  the  usual  consequence  of 
extravagance  and  folly,  a  retreat  to  the  woods.     Yet,  even 


ih 


ill 


II 


'III 


j  flifli 


Memoirs  or  an  American  Lady. 


in  tbese  priineviil  jsliiulcs,  lliore  was  no  repose  for  the  vain 
and  the  turbulent.  It  was  truly  aniusiu!^  to  see  those  ear- 
goes  of  rustieated  line  ladies  and  gentlemen  going  to  their 
new  ahodes,  all  lassitude  and  chagrin  ;  and  very  soon  after, 
to  hear  of  their  attempts  at  finery,  consecpience,  and  i)reeini- 
nence,  in  tlie  late  invaded  residence  of  bears  and  htiivers. 
There,  no  pastoral  tran(pulity,  no  sylvan  delights  awaited 
them.  In  this  forced  retreat  to  the  woo'ls  they  failed  not 
to  c.irry  Avith  them  those  household  gods  whom  they  had 
worshiped  in  town  ;  the  ])ious  ^Eneas  was  not  more  careful 
of  his  Penates,  nor  nu)re  desirous  of  establishing  them  in 
his  new  residence.  These  are  the  persons  of  desperate  cir- 
cumstances, expensive  habits,  and  ambitious  views  ;  who, 
like  the  "tempest-loving  raven,"  delight  in  clianges,  and 
anticipate,  with  guilty  joy,  the  overturn  of  states  in  which 
they  have  nothing  to  lose,  and  have  hopes  of  rising  on  the 
ruins  of  others.  The  lawyers,  too,  foresaw  that  the  harvest 
they  were  now  reaping  from  the  new  mode  of  inquiry  into 
disputed  titles,  could  not  be  of  long  duration.  They  did 
not  lay  a  regular  plan  for  the  subversion  of  the  existing 
order  of  tilings  ;  but  they  infected  the  once  plain  and  primi- 
tive conversation  of  the  jieople  with  law  jargon,  which 
spread  like  a  disease,  and  was  the  more  fatal  to  elegance, 
simplicity,  and  candor,  as  tliere  were  no  rival  branches  of 
science,  the  cultivation  of  which  might  have  divided  peo})le's 
attention  with  this  dry  contentious  theme. 

The  'Spirit  of  litigation,  which  narrowed  and  heated  every 
mind,  "was  a  great  nuisance  to  Madame,  who  took  care  not 
to  be  much  troubled  with  it  in  conversation,  because  she 
discountenanced  it  at  her  table,  where,  imleed,  no  petulant 
upstarts  were  received.  She  was,  howev':,-,  persecuted  with 
daily  references  to  her  recollections  with  regard  to  the  tra- 
ditionary opinions  relative  to  boundaries,  etc.  While  she 
sought  refuge  in  the  peaceable  precincts  of  the  gospel,  from 
the  tumultuous  contests  of  the  law,  which  she  always  spoke 


mu 


MDY. 

ose  for  the  vain 
to  soe  those  cai'- 
II  going  to  their 
vvvy  soon  after, 
lice,  and  i)reonii- 
irs  and  bwivers. 
elights  awaited 
they  failed  not 
whom  they  had 
lot  more  careful 
)lishiiig  tlieni  in 
)f  desperate  cir- 
us  views  ;  wlio, 
in  cliangcs,  and 
states  in  which 
of  rising  on  the 
tliat  the  liarvest 
(»f  inquiry  into 
tion.     They  did 
of  the  existino- 
l)lain  and  primi- 
jargon,   Avhich 
al   to  elegance, 
al  branches  of 
livided  people's 

id  heated  every 
)  took  care  not 
n,  because  slie 
'd,  no  petulant 
lersecuted  with 
ard  to  the  tra- 
;c.  While  she 
G  gospel,  from 
;  always  spoke 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


317 


of  with  dislike,  she  was  little  aware  tluit  a  deserter  from 
her  own  t-ani)'  was  about  to  join  the  enemy.  .Mr.  II.  our 
cliaphiin,  be<  ame,  about  this  time,  very  reserved  and  absent  ; 
law  and  ))olitics  wert'  no  favorite  to|iics  in  our  lioust'liolil, 
and  tiiese  aloiU' si'emed  nnu'Ii  to  interest  our  divine.  .Many 
thought  aunt  was  imposed  on  by  this  yt»ung  man,  :ind  took 
him  to  be  what  he  was  not  ;  but  this  was  by  no  nu'ans  the 
case.  She  neither  thought  him  a  wit,  a  scholar,  or  a  saint  ; 
but  merely  a  young  man,  Avho,  to  very  good  intentions  and 
al)lameless  life,  added  the  advantages  of  a  better  e<lucatiou 
thiiii  fell  to  the  lot  of  laymen  there  ;  simplicity  of  manners, 
and  some  i)owei  of  conversation,  with  a  little  dash  of  the 
coxcomb,  rendered  tolerable  by  great  good  nature. 

Vanity,  however,  was  the  rock  on  wliich  our  chaplain 
sj)lit  ;  he  found  himself,  among  the  circle  he  frequented, 
tlie  one-eyed  king  in  the  kingdom  of  the  1)lind  ;  and  thought 
it  a  i)ity  such  talents  should  be  lost  in  a  profession  -where, 
in  his  view  of  the  subject,  bread  and  j»i'ace  were  all  that 
was  to  beexj)ected.  The  tirst  intelligence  Iheai'd  was,  that 
Mr.  II.  OP  -ome  ])retence  or  other,  often  went  to  the  neigh- 
boring towi.  of  Schenectady,  now  rising  into  consequence, 
and  there  opeidy  renounced  his  profession,  and  took  out  a 
license  as  a  practicing  lawyei".  Tt  is  easy  to  conjecture  how 
Madame  must  have  considered  this  wanton  renunciation  of 
tlie  service  of  the  altar  for  a  more  gainful  i)ursuit,  aggra- 
vated by  simulation  at  least  ;  for  this  seeming  opoii  and 
artless  character  took  all  the  benefit  of  her  hospitality,  and 
continued  to  be  her  inmate  the  whole  time  that  he  was  se- 
cretly carrying  on  a  plan  he  knew  she  would  reprobate. 
Slu",  however,  behaved  with  great  dignity  on  the  occasion  ; 
suj)posing,  no  doubt,  that  the  obligations  she  had  conferred 
upon  him,  dejuived  her  of  a  right  to  reproach  or  reflect 
upon  him.  She  was  never  after  heard  to  mention  his  name  ; 
and  when  others  did,  always  shifted  the  conversation. 

All  these  revolutions  in  manners  and  opinion  helped  to 


I'      !l 


Vi 


^ 


.*^: 


I.  ^ii 


lIF 


II 


I 


1 

1 

1 
t  ■  1 

H 

1 

318 


MeiMotrs  of  an  American  Lady. 


ondciir  jsk'  \o  aunt,  as  a  j)iipil  of  her  own  sdiool  ;  wliik'niy 
teni'cious  iiu'nioiy  (Miablctl  nu'  to  entertain  her  with  tlie 
wealth  of  otliers'  minds,  ren(U're<l  more  atnusinj;  hy  the 
simplieity  of  my  ehihlisli  eomments.  I  Tad  I  heen  cai)ahle 
of  tiattery,  or  rather  ha<l  I  been  so  detieient  in  natural  deh- 
caey,  as  to  say  what  I  really  thought  of  this  exalted  eha- 
raeter,  the  awe  with  >\diieh  I  regank'd  her  would  have 
deterrecl  me  from  such  presum})iu)n  ;  hut  as  I  really  loved 
and  honored  her,  as  virtue  personified,  and  found  my  chief 
lij'ppiness  in  her  society  and  conversation,  she  could  not  but 
be  aware  of  this  silent  adulation,  and  she  became  indeed 
more  and  more  desirous  of  having  me  with  lier.  To  my 
fatlu'r,  however,  I  was  now  become,  in  some  degree,  ne- 
cessary, from  causes  somewhat  similar.  He,  t(^o,  was  sick 
of  the  reigning  conversation  ;  and  being  nervous,  and  rather 
inclined  to  melancholy,  begun  to  sec  things  in  tlie  (hirkest 
light,  and  made  th<^  most  of  a  rheumatism,  in  itself  bad 
enough,  to  have  a  pretext  iv)r  in<lulging  the  chagrin  that 
preyed  upon  his  mind,  and  avoi<ling  his  Connecticut  perse- 
cutors, who  attacked  liim  evervwhere  but  in  bed.  A  fit  of 
chagrin  was  generally  succeeded  by  a  fit  of  home-sickness, 
and  that  by  a  jiaroxysm  of  devotion  exalted  to  enthusiasm  ; 
during  Avhich  all  worldly  ctmcerns  Avere  to  give  Avay  to 
those  of  futurity.  Thus  melancholy  and  thus  devout  I 
found  my  father  ;  whose  pure  and  upright  i>\nv\t  was  cor- 
roded with  the  tricks  and  ciiicanery  he  was  forced  to  ob- 
serve in  his  new  associates,  with  whom  his  singular  probity 
and  simplicity  of  character  rendered  him  very  unfit  to 
contend.  ^\y  mother,  active,  cheerful,  and  constantly 
occupied  Avith  lier  domestic  affairs,  souglit  pleasure  no- 
Avliere,  and  found  content  everywhere.  I  had  begun  to 
taste  tlie  luxury  of  intellectual  pleasures  with  a  very  keen 
relish.  Winter,  always  severe,  but  this  year  armed  with 
tenfold  vigor,  checked  my  researches  among  birds  and 
plants,  which  constituted  my  summer  delights  ;  and  poetry 


ADY. 

•hoo]  ;  M'liilcMny 
ill   Ikt  with   the 

Ullllsilln;    l,y    ^]^^, 

I   I'CHii  CMpahle 
ill  iianiral  deli- 
lis  exalted  cha- 
icr  would  have 
s  I  really  loved 
found  my  chief 
e  could  not  but 
became  indeed 
li  lier.     To  my 
me  degree,  iie- 
?,  too,  was  sick 
ous,  and  rather 
ill  the  darkest 
I  in  itself  bad 
e  chagrin  that 
necticut  ])erse- 
'•ed.     A  fit  of 
liome-sickness, 
;o  enthusiasm  ; 
:)  give  way  to 
thus  devout  T 
<l>irit  was  cor- 
forced  to  ob- 
igular  probity 
very  unfit  to 
id    constantly 
pleasure   no- 
lad  begun  to 
1  a  veiy  keen 
I-  armed  with 
ig  birds   and 
;  and  poetry 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


319 


I 


Avas  all  that  remained  to  me.  While  T  was,  "  in  some  di- 
viner mood,"  exulting  in  these  scenes  of  inspiration,  opened 
to  mo  by  tlie  "humanizing  muse,"  the  ten-ibU-  di'cree  went 
forth,  that  I  was  to  read  no  more  "  idle  books  or  i)lays." 
This  decree  was  merely  the  momentar}-  result  of  a  lit  of 
sickness  and  dejection,  and  never  meant  to  be  seriously  en- 
forced. It  i)roduced,  however,  the  etYect  of  making  me 
read  so  nnich  divinity,  that  I  fancied  myself  got  quite  "  be- 
yond the  flaming  bounds  of  space  and  time  ;"  and  thought 
I  could  never  relish  light  reading  more.  In  this  solemn 
mood,  my  greatest  relaxation  was  a  visit  now  and  then  to 
aunt's  sister-in-law,  now  entirely  be(bidden,  but  still  pos- 
sessing great  powers  of  conversation,  which  wi're  called 
forth  by  the  flattering  attention  of  a  child  to  one  whom  the 
world  had  forsaken.  T  loved  indeed  phiy,  strictly  such, 
tlioughtless,  childish  play,  and  next  to  that,  calm  I'eflection 
and  discussi(Mi,  The  world  was  too  busy  and  too  artful  for 
me  ;  T  found  myself  most  at  home  with  those  who  had  not 
entered,  or  those  who  had  left  it. 

My  father's  illness  was  much  aggravated  by  the  con- 
flict which  begun  to  arise  in  his  mind  regarding  his  pro- 
posed removal  to  his  lands,  which  were  already  surrouiuled 
by  a  new  population,  consisting  of  these  fashionable  emi- 
grants from  the  gay  world  at  New  York,  whom  I  have 
been  describing,  and  a  set  of  Herce  republicans,  if  anything 
sneaking  and  drawling  may  be  so  called,  whom  litigious 
contention  had  banished  from  their  native  province,  and 
who  seemed  let  loose,  like  Samson's  foxes,  to  carry  mis- 
chief and  conflagration  wherever  they  went.  Among  this 
motley  crew  there  was  no  regular  ]»lace  of  worship,  nor  any 
likely  prospect  that  there  should,  for  their  religions  had  as 
many  shades  ^f  difference  as  the  leaves  of  autumn  ;  ind 
every  man  of  substance  who  arrived,  was  ])reacher  and 
magistrate  to  his  own  little  colony.  To  hear  their  peo})le 
talk,  one  would  think  time  had  run  back  to  the  days  of  the 


!  I  . 


W  ?s 


f"    ' 


320 


Mkmoihs  of  an  Amkhican  Lady. 


,:,  ! 


|i      J    IJ 


I'    i 


lnvc'lcrs.  Tlic  settlers  from  New  York,  however,  st  lut^t^led 
li.'inl  for  sMperiorif  V,  I>ii(  lliey  were  not  ei|iial  in  eliicane  to 
their  ailvei'saries,  wlmse  power  hiy  in  th<'ir  etmiiinij;.  It 
was  particularly  hard  I'or  |ieu|ih'  who  aekiiowh-dj^ed  no 
sii|»erior,  wiio  had  a  lhoroiii;h  kiiowU'clt^e  of  hiw  and  scrip- 
ture, ready  to  wrest  to  every  seilish  purpose,  it  was  |»'articn- 
hirly  hard,  I  say,  for  such  all-snllicieiit  personat;('s  to  hold 
their  land  from  such  people  as  my  lather  and  others,  of 
"  Kin<4'  (Jeorge's  re(l  coats,"  as  they  elcLjantly  style(l  them, 
lint  they  were  fertile  in  t-xpcdients.  From  the  oriLjinal  es- 
tablishnu'nt  of  these  pro\inces,  thi'  Conneclicut  I'iver  had 
been  accounted  the  boundary,  to  tlu'  east,  of  tlii'  ])rovince 
of  New  ^'t)rk,  (lividini;'  it  from  the  ad jt-iniiit,^  one  ;  this 
division  was  specilied  in  old  patents,  and  conlirmed  by  ana- 
loyy.  All  at  once,  howt'ver,  our  new  tenants  at  will  made 
Ji  discovery,  oi-  rather  had  a  I'cvelation,  pni'itortin^",  that 
there  was  a  twenty  mile  line,  as  they  called  it,  which  in  old 
times  had  been  carried  thus  far  beyond  the  Connecticut 
river,  into  the  bounds  of  what  had  ever  been  esteemed  the 
jirovince  of  New  York.  It  had  become  extremely  fashion- 
able to  (piestion  the  limits  of  individual  property,  but  for 
so  bold  a  stroke  at  a  whole  province,  )»eople  w(fe  not,  pre- 
pared. The  consecpience  of  establishiuij;  this  point  was, 
that  thus  the  grants  made  by  the  }»i-ovince  of  New  York, 
of  lands  not  their  own,  could  not  be  valid  ;  and  thus  the 
propi'i'ty,  which  had  cost  the  owners  so  much  to  establish 
and  survey,  reverted  to  the  othei'  pi'ovince,  and  was  no 
longer  tlu'irs.  '^Fhis  was  so  far  beyond  all  imagination,  that 
though  there  api)eared  not  the  smallest  likelihood  (d"  its 
succeeding,  as  the  plea  nmst  m  the  end  be  carried  to 
Britain,  people  stood  aghast,  and  saw  no  safely  in  living 
among  those  who  were  capable  of  making  such  daring 
strides  t)ver  all  established  usage,  and  ready,  on  all  occa- 
sions, to  confederate  v.here  ;■  ly  advantage  was  in  view, 
though   ever  engaged  in   litigious  contentions    with   each 


iADY. 

i;il  ill  cliicaiic  to 
ir  i'liiiniii'i;.      It 

(•l<ll(l\vl('(l«^('(l     l|() 

r   law  Mild  scriji- 

(',  it  WMs  p'urticu- 

soiiaycs  to  Iiold 

■  ami   otlicrs,   of 

itly  stylcil  tliciii. 

II  t lie  orii^iiial  cs- 

cticiit    f'lNcr  had 

of  the  ]»roviiif(! 

'iniiit;'    one  ;   this 

<)iil!nii('(l  hy  aiiii- 

iiits  at  will  made 

purport iii<i,',  that 

1  it,  which  ill  old 

the   Coiiiu'cticut 

cell  ('sti'('iiic(I  the 

vtrciiu'Iy  iashion- 

propcrty,  hut  lor 

»K'  were  not  }>rt'- 

;    this  point  was, 

•('  of  New   Vork, 

(1  ;  and  tlins  tho 

iiiich  to  establish 

lice,    and   was   no 

inian'ination,  that 

likelihood  (*!'  its 

id    he  carried  to 

safely   in   li\ing 

:ini;'   such   daring" 

'ady,  on  all  occa.- 

gc   was   in   view, 

itions    with   each 


Mkmoius  of  an  Amkhtcan  Lady. 


321 


other  in  their  original  home.  This  astonishing  plea,  during 
its  dependence,  alVorded  these  daiigeroiis  neighliors  a  pro- 
text  to  conliniie  their  iisiirpecl  possession  till  it  should  be 
decided  to  which  pro\iiicetlie  lamis  really  iM'longed.  'I'hey 
even  c;irrie(|  their  insolence  so  lar,  that  when  a  particular 
friend  of  my  father's,  a  wort  hy,  upright  man,  named  .Miinro,' 
Avho  possesse(|  a  large  tra('t  of  land  adjoining  to  his  ;  when 
this  good  man,  who  had  established  a  seltlemeiit,  saw-mills, 
etc.,  came  to  lix  some  tenants  of  his  on  his  lands,  a  body  of 
these  incendiaries  came  out,  ariiie(|,  to  oppose  them,  trust- 
ing to  their  superior  numbers  and  the  |ieaceable  disposition 
of  our  friend.  Now,  the  fatal  twenty  mile  line  ran  exactly 
through  the  middle  of  my  father''  nroperty.  Mad  not 
tlu!  revolution  followecl  so  soon,  t  was  no  doubt  of  this 

claim  being  rejected  in  Ibitain  ;  but  in  the  mean  time  it. 
served  as  a  |)retext  for  daily  encroaclinient  and  iiis(.lent 
])ravadoes.  Much  of  mv  father's  disorder  was  owing  to  the 
great  conllict  of  his  mind.  To  give  up  every  prospect  of 
oons('(pience  and  afHuence,  and  retui-ii  to  liritain,  leaving 
liis  pro})erty  alloat  aniong  tlies(^  ungovernable  ])eo)»le  (to 
say  no  \vorse  of  them),  was  \('ry  hard,  ^'et  to  live  among 
them,  and  by  legal  coer<-ion  force  his  due  out  of  their 
hands,  was  no  2>lt'asing  prospect.     His  good  angel,  it  would 


'Jolin  Munro,  who  for  several  years  was  very  troublesome  to  tlie 
New  llamimliire  sett1(!rs,  was  a  Senteliitiau,  a  Ntnv  York  juHticc!  of  the 
jjcace,  and  resided  in  Shal'tsbury,  witliin  a  few  rods  of  the  New  York 
line.  Aft(!r  the  ycsar  1772,  tlie  threats  of  the  (Jreen  mountain  boys 
apjM'ar  to  have  kej)!  liim  (juiet ;  but  on  tli(^  approach  of  Burgoyne  in 
1777  he  joiiK'd  the  Hritish,  and  liis  i»ersoiial  property  in  Vermont  waS 
confiscated.  II(!  had  been  the;  ajient  of  Duane,  and  from  a  despondinjf 
letter  which  he  w;ot(^  to  the  latter  in  17H0,  it  appears  tliat  lie  was  on 
his  return  to  Canada  from  England,  wliere  Ik;  had  been  jjrosecutinjf  his 
claims  on  thi;  Hritish  frovcM'ninent  tor  liis  services  and  losses  as  a  loy- 
alist, without  much  success,  and  was  returiiinj;  to  his  family,  pennijt'ss, 
and  friendless,  and  appealed  to  his  former  fri(Mid  and  employer,  for 
sympathy  and  aid.     See  Ililand  Hall's  Early  History  of  Vermont. —  M. 

41 


■('' 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 

seem  in  the  setiuel,  wliispeird  to  him  to  rctiini.  Though, 
in  human  prudence,  it  appeured  a  fatal  ineas\ire  to  leave  so 
valuable  a  pr()j)erty  in  such  hands,  he  thought,  tliat  lie 
would  stay  two  or  three  years  ;  and  then,  when  others  had 
vancpiished  his  antagonists,  and  driven  them  ofT  the  lands, 
which  they,  in  the  mean  time,  were  busily  clearing,  he 
should  return  with  a  host  of  friends  and  kinsmen  and 
form  a  (diosen  society  of  liis  own.  lie  however  waited  to 
sec  what  change  for  the  better  another  twelve  month  miglit 
produce.  Madame,  who  was  consulted  on  liis  plans,  did 
not  greatly  relish  this  ;  he,  at  length,  half  promised  to 
leave  me  with  her,  till  he  should  return  from  this  expedition. 

lieturning  for  a  short  time  to  town  in  spring  I  found 
aunt's  house  much  enlivene<l  V>y  a  very  agreeable  visitor  ; 
this  was  Miss  W.,  daughter  to  the  Honorable  Mr.  W.,  of 
the  council.  Her  elder  sister  was  afterwards  Countess  of 
Cassilis,  and  she  herself  was  long  afterwards  married  to 
the  only  native  of  the  continent,  I  believe,  who  ever  suc- 
ceeded to  the  title  of  baronet.  She  possessed  much  beauty, 
and  understanding,  and  vivacity.  Her  playful  humor  ex- 
hilarated the  whole  household.  I  regarded  her  with 
admiration  and  delight ;  and  her  fanciful  excursions  atforded 
great  amusement  to  aunt,  and  were  like  a  gleam  of  sunshine 
amidst  the  gloom  occasioned  by  the  spirit  of  contention 
which  was  let  loose  among  all  manner  of  people. 

The  repeal  of  the  stamp  act  having  excited  new  hopes, 
my  father  found  all  his  expectations  of  comfort  aiul  jn-os- 
perity  renewed  by  this  temporary  c  ilm,  and  the  pro])osed 
return  to  Britain  was  deferred  for  another  year.  Aunt,  to 
our  great  joy,  as  we  scarce  hoped  she  would  again  make  so 
distant  a  visit,  came  out  to  the  Flats  with  her  fair  visitor, 
who  was  about  to  return  to  New  York.  This  lady,  after 
going  through  many  of  the  hardships  to  which  persecuted 
loyalists  were  afterwards  exposed,  with  her  husband,  who 
lost  an  immense  property  in  the  service  of  government,  is 


Lady. 

rctuni.     Though, 

.'isiirc  to  k'iivc  so 

thoiiglit.  that  he 

when  others  l)!i(l 

em  ofF  the  hin<ls, 

sily   eleari/ig,    he 

1(1    kinsmen    and 

owever  waited  to 

Ive  inontli  might 

»n  liis  plans,  did 

lall'  promised    to 

<n  this  expedition. 

n   spring  I   found 

greeabie  visitor  ; 

rable  Mr.  W,,  of 

irds   Countess   of 

wards  married  to 

'e,  who  ever  suc- 

fsed  much  beauty, 

ilayful   humor  ex- 

garded    her   witli 

ccursions  afforded 

gleam  of  sunshine 

rit  of  contention 

people. 

cited  new  liopes, 
omfort  and  pros- 
ind  the  j)roj)osed 
r  year.  Aunt,  to 
ild  again  make  so 
;  her  fair  visitor, 
This  lady,  after 
tvhich  persecuted 
ler  husband,  who 
>f  government,  is 


^rKMOIUS    OF    AN    AmKRICAN    LaDY. 


323 


now  with  her  family  settled  in  Uiiper  Canada,  where  Sir  J. 
Johnson  has  (jbtained  a  large  grant  of  lands  as  a  partial 
retribution  for  his  great  losses  and  faithful  service. 

Aunt  again  recjuested  and  again  obtained  permission  for 
me  to  pass  some  time  with  her  ;  and  golden  dreams  of 
felicity  at  Clarendon,  again  l)egan  to  possess  my  imagina- 
tion. I  returned  however  soon  to  the  Flats,  where  my 
presence  became  more  important,  as  my  father  became  less 
eager  in  pursuit  of  Held  sj)orts. 


CHAPTER  LVIII. 

Mode  op  oonveyixg  Timbkk  tv  Rafts  down  the  "River. 

X  BROU(iirT  out  some  volumes  of  Shakespeare  with  me, 
and,  remembering  the  prohibition  of  reading  plays  pro- 
mulgated the  former  winter,  "was  much  at  a  loss  how  to 
proceed.  T  thought  rightly  that  it  was  owing  to  a  tempo- 
rary lit  of  s})leen.  J>ul  tlu'U  I  knew  my  father  was,  like  all 
military  men,  tenacious  of  his  authority,  and  'vould  possibly 
continue  it  merely  because  he  had  once  said  so.  I  recollected 
that  he  said  he  would  have  no  plays  brought  to  the  house  ; 
and  that  I  read  them  unchecked  at  Madame's,  who  was  my 
model  in  all  tilings.  It  so  hai>i)ened  that  the  river  had  been 
higher  than  usual  that  spring,  and,  in  consequence,  exhibited 
a  succession  of  very  amusins  scenes.  The  settlers,  whose 
increase  above  towards  Stillwater  had  been  for  three  years 
])ast  incredibly  great,  set  up  saw  mills  on  every  stream,  for 
the  purpose  of  turning  to  account  the  fine  timber  which 
tliey  cleared  in  great  quantities  off  the  new  lands.  The 
planks  they  drew  in  sledges  to  the  side  of  the  great  river  ; 
and  when  the  season  arrived  that  swelled  the  stream  to  its 
greatest  height,  a 'vhole  neighborhood  assembled,  and  made 
their  joint  stock  into  a  large  raft,  which  was  floated  down 


l:i 


V'' 


;{'ji 


MiiMoiits  oi'  AN    Ami:ui('an    Lai»v. 


i 


III 


i    i 


tin'   river  willi  :i    mm   <>i-  (wo  on    it,   wlio   willi    l<»ii!^    |hi|('s 
were    :il\v;ivs    i-»';iiIn     (<>    siccr    il    clciir    of   tlxtsc    isl;iinls   or 
hIikIIowh  wliicli  miiflil    im|i(Mlr   ils    (■oiii'sc,      'I'lii-rc   \h   somr- 
lliinuj  st'rcncly  m.ijcslic  in  I  lie  ciisv    proj^i'i'ss  of  tliosc  Inrtjji' 
hotlics  on  ilic  t'lill  siicMMi  ol'  iliis  i-o|iions  river.     SoindiiiH'M 
one  sees  ;i  wliole  r.iinily  lr.iiis|iorl('<l  on  (liis   simple  eon\ev 
nnee  ;   the    nioilier    e;ilmly    spinninn',    •'<''   <"liil"lren    s|Hirlin;^ 
iilxMit  lier,  MMil  the  I'lilher  lishint;;  on  one  end,  nml  uiitehinij 
its  s.'il'ety  .'It   the  s;imr  lime.      Thest'  r.-il'ts   were    liiken  down 
to  AHciny,  .'in<l  put  on  lto;iril    M-ssels  there,  lor  eonvev.'im'e 
to  New   ^  (irU  ;   sometimes,    howexcr,    it    li;i|»|iene(|    lh:it,    ;is 
they    proceeth'il  \ery  sh<wly,    dry    went  her  e:ime    on    l>v  llie 
time  (hey    re.'ielied  l  he    l<'l;ils,    :ind    it    liee.'ime    imjiossilde  I  o 
carry  tln'm    I'urlhei-;   in    lli:il    ease   they    were   de|M. sited    in 
}j;reat    trianijjrlar   |»ih's  o|i|Misite  onr  (htor.      ( )ne   of    these, 
which   was   I.-iry-er  th.-in   ordinary,  I    seh'eted    for  a    re;idiiiu 
closet.      'I'here  I  safely    lodged  my  Shakespeiire  ;   :ind  ihei'e 
in  my  play  luuirs  I    went    to   read  it    iindisi  nrhed,    with    the 
advantajjje  of  fresh  :iir,  a  eool  shade,  ;ind   a  full  view  of  the 
road  on  one  si(h',  and  a  heaulifnl  river  on  the  other.      While 
1  onjoyetl  nn<listiirl»i'd  |tri\:iey,  I  had  the  |trohiliition  fidl  in 
my  mind,   hiit    lliouijhl    I  should   ket'p  to  the  spirit  of  it  l»y 
oidy  readiuijj  tlu'   liisloi'ieid    plays,   eoud'ort  int^    myself  that 
they  were  true.     These  I  read  over  ;ind  ovi'r   witli  |»leasure 
o^er  new  ;  it    was  tpiite   in    my   way,    for   I   was   fauiiliarly 
ai'(iuainted  with  the  Mn<;lisli  iiistory  ;   now,  indeed,  I  he^-.an 
to  relish  Shakt'spi'are,   and  to   be   astonished  at  my    former 
blindness  to  his  beauties.     Tlu"  eonteution  of  the  lival  roses 
oeeupii'd   ;dl    my   thoughts,   aud    lu-oke    my   rest.      "  Wiud- 
chaugiui;-  Warwii'k"  did  not  cliane;e  oflener  than  I,  hut    at 
leuiith  mv  compassion  for  liolv  lli'iirv,  and  hat  ri ;!  lo  IJichard, 
fi.xod  me  a  Lancastrian.      I  beeun  to  wonder  how  any  body 
could  exist  without  roadins;"  Shakespe.are,  and  at  lensj;th  re- 
solved, at  all   risks,  to  m.ake  my  fatlier  a  sharer  in  my  new 
found  felicity.      Of  the  nature  of  taste  I  had  not  the  least 


AI»V 


Mi:m(»iks  ok  an   Amkhhan   liAhv. 


325 


\\illl     lollLj     |tn|rM 

llio^f   isliiiirls  or 

I  IllT)'  is  suliU'- 
s  III'  I  hose  liii'tjc 
\vr.  Sdincliiiirs 
■i    sim|i|t'  rii|i\rv- 

ililicii   s|Miiiiiij^ 

•  I,  ;iiii|  \\  .ilcliiiiLj 

•  'ic    t.'ikcii  iliiuii 
lor  ('din  i'\, •nice 

I'I'fliciI  ih.il,  ;iM 
(•:iiiic  on  l»v  1 1|(> 
iir  iiii|iossili|i'  to 
•IC  (|('|io,sil('(|  ill 
One  of  llicsc, 
il  lor  ;i  icidiiij^ 
•t'.iif  ;  ;iiii|  I  lien' 
iirlicd,  will)  llic 
rnll  view  ol'  ilir 
ic  oilier,  \\liili' 
roliiltiiioii  rnll  in 
!)(•  s|tiri(,  of  it,  l»y 
ini,'  myscir  tlint 
cr  with  |»lc;isnn' 
I  w.is  iMMiiliarly 
,  indeed,  I  he^an 
'd  !it  my  I'ornier 
i»r  tlie  ri\al  roses 
■  rest.  "  Win.i- 
vv  tlian  I,  hnl  at, 
atnd  u)  IJieliard, 
■r  liow  any  body 
md  at  leiiLjdi  re- 
larer  in  my  new 
ml  not  the  least 


id'-a  ;  NO  Car  olheiwi'-i',  th:il  I  was  ronliniially  ie\o|viiij^ 
Im'IH'v  olfiil  jilaiis  III  ilisj  I  iliiili'  soiiM'  III  the  |iiii'|iv  I  nio->l 
(h-li^hted  in  anionic  the  lie/aieels  and  I  lahakkiiK-^,  ol  thi- 
Iweiilv  mill'  line.  I  thont^hl  this  would  make  them  ha|i|iy 
as  niVM'll,  and  that  when  they  ome  lilt  tin'  ihaiiii  ol 
"  mnsiiiil  iji'lii^ht,"  the  harsh  lani^iiaye  ol'  eonletilioii  would 
eease,  and  lei/al  «(iiil>Min^  trive  way  lieloie  the  spiril  of 
liaiinonv.  Ilou  ollin  did  I  ie|ieal  rhon;|isiiirs  i|esrri|il  ion 
ol'  the  golden  a<^e,  eoiielndini^ 

"  {''or  milHIc  ill-Id   llir  wliulf  in    piTl'i'i'l    lirnce." 
At     liiiiiH",  hiiwe\er,  I   was  in    some  deirree    siieeesslill.       My 
falher    did    lie-in  In  take  some    interest    in  the    roses,  and  I 
was    lia|>|iv,    yil    kept    Imt  h  my  secret    and    my    eloset,  and 
made  mole  and  mine  ad\anies  in  the  sliiil\  of  these  "  wood 
notes  wild."      .1^'  //""  ///.'    '/,  and  the    ,)/i</siniiiHi  r  ,\'i(//if\^ 
Ih'iiiiii    enehanled    me;   and  I    thoiij^ht   the   eoml'oil    ol'   my 
closet  so  tcreal,  that    I  dreaded    iiolhintf  so  inneli    as  ;i  Hood, 
that  should  occasion    its  heiii^  once  inoie  m>i    in  motion.      I 
was  one   day  deeply   en;^aned  in    coin|iassionatiiitf   <>the||o, 
sidint^    on    a  plank,    added    on  the   outside    of    the   pile    lor 
st  reiiiil  lieniiiLJ   it,  when    happenin;^'  to  lift    my  eyes,  I    saw  a 
loii^  serpent  on  tiiesame  hoard,  at  my  elliow,  in  a  threaten- 
ing^ alt  it  nde,  with  its  head  lilted  n|i.      Othello  and  I  ran  ofT 
tot^etlier  with  all  ima^inahle  speed  ;  and  ;is  that    particular 
kimi   ol'   snake   seldom    approaches   any    person,  unless    the 
ahode  of   its  yonn^  is  invaded,  1    Ix'^^aii  to  I'ear  I    had  heeii 
stuilyiiiLC  Sliakes|»e;ire   in  a   nest  ol'  serpents.      Onr  raithl'nl 
servant  exainineil  the  place  at  my  reipiest.      I'nderthe  very 
board   on  which  I   sat,  when  terrified    by  this   unwished   jis- 
Koeiaf<',    was  lound    a  nest    with  se\cn    ejx^s.      Alter    bein^ 
most  thankful  for  my  escape,  the  next  thiiiif  was  to  admire 
tlie  patience  and  ji;ood  lintnor  of  the  mother  of  this  family, 
who  jiermilted  sneli  a  bein<^  as  myself  so  loni.^  to  share  her 
haunt  with    inipnnity.      Indeed,  the   rural  pleasures  of   this 
country  were   always    liable  to  tln^so   di'awbai  ks  ;  and  this 


II' I 


Mkimoius  or  AN   Amkuican   Lady. 


|il;ici'  WMs  ]H'(MiIiarIy  inft'slcd  with  llu'  familiar  uMrlcr-snnkc, 
l)ri';ms«'  t  111'  iMiiiis  df  (lie  burnt  lioiisc  alVnidcd  slicllcr  aiitl 
sale! y  to  t licso  rcpliU's, 


Pi 


i 


ri^ 


ciiArrKh'  MX. 

TlIK  SWAMI"  r.\  I  i;i(  K    ("OOMK. 

X  HIS  ;ul\('iinir(>  madt'  inc  caiitioiis  ol'  sitliiiu:  out  <»f  doors, 
y»'l  I  <laily  Itiavod  a  dann'ci- of  tlu-  smimc  iiatiirt',  in  the  woods 
bi'liind  ilic  lionsc,  wliiidi  were  my  favorite  haunts,  and 
wlu'ri'  1  iViMiufUtly  saw  snakes,  yd  was  never  |inrsut'd  or 
annoyed  \)\  tlimi.  In  this  wood,  lialf  a  mih-  from  tlie  house, 
was  a  swam]),  whieh  alVorded  a  scene  so  totally  unlike  .any 
thinu:  I'lsi',  that  a  des<'ri|><ion  of  it  may  amuse  thosi'  who 
ha\i'  nevei-  seen  nature  in  that  primitive  st  ite. 

This  swamp,  then,  was  in  the  midst  of  a  pine  wotxl,  and 
was  siirrounded  on  two  sides  l»y  little  hills,  some  of  wliich 
wert'  i'o\i'red  with  et'dar,  and  others  with  the  silver  lir,  very 
]>ietures(pie,  and  iutely  varied  with  shruhs,  and  every  grada- 
tii>n  o\'  iireiMi.  The  swamp  sunk  into  a  hollow,  like  !i  larj^e 
basin,  exactly  circular  ;  rouiid  half  of  it,  was  a  border  of 
inaph>,  tlu>  other  half  was  cdo-ed  with  poplar.  No  creature 
e\  t'r  enteri'd  this  place  in  summer,  its  extreme  softness  kept 
it  sacred  from  I'vt'ry  human  fool,  for  no  one  could  ujo, 
without  tlu'  risk  of  beinu'  swallowt'cl  up  ;  dilVerenl  acpiatic 
plants  orcw  with  uri'at  luxuiiance  in  this  (luayinire,  particu- 
larly bulrushes,  and  sexcral  beautiful  species  of  the  iris,  and 
\ho  alder  and  willow  ;  much  of  it,  however,  was  open,  and 
i'l  dilTi'rent  j)laces  the  watt'r  si'emed  to  form  stagnant  pools  ; 
in  many  places  large  trees  had  fallen  of  old,  which  wero 
now  covered  with  moss,  .'ud  a!Torih>d  a  home  to  nund)erless 
wild  animals.     In  thi'  mid -ft   of  this  acpiatic   retreat,  were 


\I>Y. 


MkMOIUS    of    an    AmKUICAN    liAMY. 


327 


ir  li'.'irlcr-sii.'ikc, 
It'll   slu'llcr  :iii(l 


\}X  o'lf  (»f  doors, 
re,  in  tiic  woods 

<*'     ll.'llllltS,     Mild 

•vcr  pnrsiu'd  or 
iVoiii  (lie  lioiisc, 
mIIv  iiniiki'  any 
inso  lliosi'  who 
Ic. 

pine  wood,  and 

sonic  of   wliicli 

1'  silver  lir,  very 

lid  fvcry  grada- 

i)\v,  like  a  lar^'c 

ras  a  border  of 

No  ereatnre 

le  softness  kejit, 

one   conM   i,'o, 

iTerenf   a(|na(i(' 

i,nnire,  parlicii- 

of  tile  iris,  and 

was  open,  and 

ilajj^nant  pools  ; 

I<1,  wliieli    were 

'  lo  nuniherless 

•   retreat,  wore 


two  small    isl.'inds  of    iiwoneeivaWIe    l»eaii(y,  llial    rose  lii^li 
aliove  tile  rest,  like  1  lie  oasis  of  t lie  deserts,  and  were  i]v\  ami 
safe  tlioiiLjli  iiiiappioaelialde.      (Mi  one  of  t  liese,  I  reiiieinlier, 
tXrew  three  apple  t  ices,  an  oeciirreiiee  not  rare   here  ;   for  a 
stpiirri'l,  for  instane*',  happens  to  dri>ptlie  seeds  of  an  apple 
in   a  spot  at    once  sheltered    and  fertile  ;  at  a    liickv  season, 
they    <;row    and    l)car,  thoiif^h    with    less    vii^or  and    licaiitv 
than  those  which   aic  cu'tivatcd.      That    Iteantifii!  fi'iit,  the 
wihl  plum,  was  also  altiindant  on  these  little  saiict  iiai  ies,  as 
they    niit;ht    he    called,    for,    conscious   of    impiiiiit  v,   every 
creature  thatllies  the  pursuit  of  man,  Lcamhojcd   in   safety 
here,  and  would   allow  one  to  t^a/.e  at  them  from  the   hriiik 
of  this   natural    fortress.      ( )ne    would   think  a    ctuiLCiess  of 
birds  ami    animals  had    assembled  here  ;   never  was    a  spot 
more  animatctl  and  cheerful      Tlu'rc  was  nothiiif^  like  it  in 
the    threat    forests  ;  creatures    here,  aware  of   their    general 
enemy,  man,  had  chosen  it  as  their  last  retreat.     The  bla<k, 
the   large   silver  grey,  the  little   stripcfj,  and   nimble  Hying 
R([uirrel,  were  all  at  Imme  here,  and  all  visible  in  atlioiisaml 
fantastic  attitudes.     IMieasants  and  woimI peckers  in  countless 
iiiMubers,  displaye*!    their  glowing   plumage,  and  the   song- 
sters of  the   forest,   etpially   conscious  of   their  immunity, 
made   the  marsh    resound   with  their  blende*]    music,  while 
the  fox,  here   a  small  auburn   colored  creature,  tli(>    martin, 
and    racoons   occasionally  appeare<l   and    vanished   through 
the  foliage.     Often,  on  pretence  of  bringing  home  the  cows 
in  the  morning  (when  in  their  own  leisurely  way  they  were 
coming  themselves),  I  used  to  go,  accompanictl  by  my  faith- 
ful Marian,  to  admire  this  swamp,  at  once  a  menagerie  aii<l 
aviary,  and  might,  truly  say  with  Hums, 

"  My  heiirt  rcjoic'd  in  nnturr's  joys." 
Not  content,  liowever,  with  the  contemplation  of  animated 
nature,   I    begun   to  entertain  a  fancy,  which   almost  grew 
into  a  jiassion,  for  e\|»laining 

"  Every  lu^rb  tliat  eipB  the  dew." 


■I  '  ! 


|jl<    < 


'mmmamaBm 


328 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


I 


l!    l! 


i  ' 
i.i 


hi 

I 


m:  ii 


The  ordinary  plants  of  that  country  differ  very  much 
from  those  most  frequent  here  ;  and  this  thirst  for  herbal- 
izing,  for  I  nuist  dignify  my  humble  researclies  ^vith  the 
name  of  botanical  ones,  was  a  pleasing  occupation.  I  made 
some  progress  in  discovering  the  names  and  natures  of  these 
j)laiits,  I  mean  their  i)r()perties  ;  but  unfortunately  they  were 
only  Indian  or  Dutch  names.  This  kind  of  knowledge,  in 
that  degree,  is  easily  acquired  there,  because  every  one 
possesses  it  in  some  measure.  Nothing  surprised  me  so  much, 
Avhen  I  came  to  Britain,  as  to  see  young  people  so  incurious 
about  nature. 

The  woods  behind  our  dwelling  had  been  thinned  to  jn'o- 
cure  tiring,  and  were  more  open  and  accessible  than  such 
places  generally  are.  AValking  one  tine  summer's  evening, 
with  my  usual  attendant,  a  little  further  into  tlie  wood  than 
usual,  but  far  from  any  known  inlu'bitant,  i  heard  peals  of 
laughter,  iu)t  joyous  only,  but  triumphaiit,  issue  from  the 
bottom,  as  it  seenu'd,  of  a  large  pine.  Silence  succeeded, 
and  we  looked  at  each  other  with  a  mixture  of  fear  and 
wonder,  for  it  grew  darkish.  At  last  we  nuide  a  whis})ered 
agreement  to  glide  nearer  among  the  bushes,  and  exp'ore 
the  source  of  all  this  merriment.  Twilight,  solemn  every- 
where, is  awful  in  these  forests  ;  our  awe  was  i)resently  in- 
creased by  the  ai>})earance  of  a  liglit,  that  glimmered  and 
disa|)i)eared  by  turns.  Loud  laughter  was  again  reiterated, 
and  at  length  a  voice  cried,  "IL)w  pretty  lie  is  !"  while 
another  answered  in  softer  accents,  "See  liow  the  dear  crea- 
ture runs  !  "  We  crejtt  on,  cheered  by  these  souiuls,  aiui 
saw  a  handsome,  good-natured  looking  man,  in  a  ragged  pro- 
vincial uniform,  sitting  on  a  stump  of  a  tree.  OjtpositC;  on 
the  ground,  sat  a  pretty  little  brunette  woman,  neatly  though 
nu'anly  clad,  with  s})arkling  black  eyes,  and  a  countenance 
all  vivacity  and  delight.  A  very  littli',  very  fair  boy,  with 
his  mother's  brilliant  black  eves  contrasting  Ids  flaxen  hair 
and  soft  infant  ne  complexion,  went  with  tottering  steps, 


iABY. 

iffor  very  much 
hirst  for  herbal- 
arches  with  tlie 
pation.    I  made 
natures  of  tliese 
iiatel y  they  were 
f  knowk'flgi',  in 
cause  every  one 
risedme  somucli, 
oj)le  so  incurious 

1  thinned  to  pro- 
ssihle  tlian  such 
mmei-'s  evening, 
^0  tlie  Avood  than 
i  heard  peals  of 
f)  issue  from  the 
lence  succeeded, 
ture  of  fear  and 
lade  a  whispered 
lies,  and  explore 
it,  solemn  every- 
was  presently  in- 
glimmered  and 
again  reiterated, 
;y  he   is  !  "  while 
^w  the  dear  crea- 
liese  souiuls,  and 
in  a  ragged  pro- 
e.     Opjtosite,  on 
n,  neatlv  thoutrh 
il  a  countenance 
•y  fair  hov,  with 
[?  his  flaxen  hair 
tottering  steps, 


!!l 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


3-29 


that  showed  this  was  his  first  essay,  from  one  to  the  other, 
and  loud  laughter  gratulated  his  safe  arrival  in  the  arms  of 
either  parent,  AVe  had  now  })retty  clearly  ascertained  the 
family,  the  next  thing  was  to  discover  the  house  ;  this  point 
was  nu)re  difficult  to  establish  ;  at  last,  we  found  it  was  barely 
a  place  to  sleep  in,  partly  excavated  from  the  ground,  and 
partly  covered  with  a  slight  roof  of  bark  and  branches  : 
never  was  ])()verty  so  complete  or  so  cheerful.  In  that 
country,  every  whiti'  person  had  inferiors,  and  therefore  being 
merely  white,  claimed  a  degree  of  respect,  and  being  vei'y 
rich,  or  very  fine,  entitled  you  to  very  little  more.  Simpli- 
city would  be  a  charming  thing,  if  one  could  strain  it  from 
grossness,  but  that,  I  believe  is  no  easy  o})eration.  We  now, 
with  miu'h  consideration  and  civility,  jtrcsented  ourselves  ; 
I  thought  the  cows  would  afl:V)rd  a  hapi)y  o])ening  for  con- 
versation. "  Don't  be  afraid  of  noise,  we  are  driving  our 
three  cows  home  ;  have  you  any  cows  ? "  "  Och  no,  my 
dare  child,  not  one,  young  miss,"  said  the  soldier.  "  (),  but 
then  mamma  will  give  milk  to  the  child,  for  we  have  })lenty 
and  no  child."  "  O  dear  [)retty  miss,  don't  mind  that  at  all, 
at  all."  "Come,"  said  the  mistress  of  the  hovel,  "  we  have 
got  fine  butter-milk  here,  from  Stephen's,  come  in  and  take 
a  drink."  I  civilly  declined  this  invitation,  being  wholly 
intent  on  the  child,  who  ai)i»eared  to  me  like  a  smiling  love, 
and  at  once  seized  on  my  affection.  Patrick  Coonie,  for 
such  was  the  name  of  our  new  neighboi',  gave  us  his  history 
in  a  very  few  words  ;  he  had  married  Kate  in  IVmisylvania, 
who,  young  as  she  looked,  had  three  children,  from  ten  to 
fourteen,  or  thereabouts  ;  he  had  some  trade  whicii  had  not 
thriven,  he  listed  in  the  provincials,  s|)ent  what  he  had  on 
his  family  ;  hired  again,  served  another  campaign,  came 
down  }>ennyless,  and  here  tliey  had  come  for  a  temporary 
shelter,  to  get  work  anu)ng  their  neighl>ors  ;  the  excavation 
existed  before,  Patrick  happily  discovered  it,  and  added  the 

42 


'   I 


I   i 


•J 


^[EMOrRS    OF    AN    AmKKICAN    LaDY. 


ingoiiions  roof  whicli  now  covered  it.'  I  asked  for  their 
other  cliihlreii  ;  they  were  in  some  mean  service.  I  was  all 
anxiety  for  Patrick  :  so  was  not  he  ;  the  lilies  of  the  Held 
did  not  look  gayer,  or  more  th(»ughtless  of  to-morrow,  and 
Kate  seemed  e<nially  unconcerned. 

Hastily  were  the  cows  driven  home  that  night,  and  to 
prevent  rei)roaches  for  delay,  I  flew  to  comnmnicate  my 
discovery,  l^^ager  to  say  how  ill  (ttf  we  often  were  for  an 
occasional  hand,  to  assist  with  our  johs,  and  how  well  we 
could  s|)are  a  certain  neglected  log-house  on  our  jtremises, 
etc.  This  was  treated  as  very  chimerical  at  first,  but  when 
Patrick's  fajnily  had  undergone  a  survey,  an<l  Kate's  ac- 
complishments of  spinning,  etc.,  were  taken  into  considera- 
tion, to  my  unspeakable  joy,  the  family  were  accommodated 
as  I  wished,  and  their  several  talents  made  known  to  our 
neighbors,  wh«  kej)t  them  inconstant  business.  Kate  sjnin 
and  sung  like  a  lark,  little  Tachly  was  mostly  with  us,  fori 
taught  every  one  in  the  house  to  be  fond  of  him. 

I  was  at  the  utn\ost  loss  for  something  to  cherish  and 
caress,  when  this  most  amusing  creature,  who  iidierited  all 
the  gayetyand  good  temper  of  his  })arents,  came  in  my  way, 
as  the  first  of  possible  playthings.  Patrick  was,  of  all 
beings,  the  most  hanJy  and  obliging  ;  he  could  do  every- 
thing, but  then  he  could  drink  too,  and  the  extreme  chea})- 
ness  of  liijuor  was  a  great  snare  to  poor  creatures  addicted 
to  it  ;  Patrick,  however,  had  long  lucid  intervals,  and  I  had 
the  joy  of  seeing  them  comparatively  hai>py.  To  this  was 
adiled,  that  of  seeing  my  father  recover  his  spirits,  and 
renew  h.is  usual  sports,  and  moreovei-,  I  was  permitted  to 
return  to  Aunt  Sehuyler's.  1  did  not  fail  to  entertain  her 
with  the  history  of  my  discovery,  and  its  consecpiences,  and 

'  If  it  will  {rratity  niiy  ono's  curiosity  to  know  where  the  site  of  the 
humble  cot  of  Patrioli  Cooney  was  located,  it  is  pointed  out  as  in  the 
now  populous  village  of  West  Troy,  and  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of 
the  residence  of  the  late  wealthy  manufacturer  James  Roy. —  M. 


LADY, 


Memoirs  of  an  Amkkican  Lady. 


331 


iiskcd  for  thoir 

Tvicc,     I  was  all 

[lilies  of  \hv  tii-ld 

to-morrow,  and 

|i.'if  night,   and  to 

onininnicate   my 

It  en   were  for  an 

ind  liow  Well   wo 

on  our  jtrcmist's, 

It  first,  hut  when 

,  and   Kate's  ac- 

n  info  eonsidcra- 

•('  acconiniodatod 

lo   known  (o  our 

K'SS.       Kufc  SJ>UI1 

ttly  with  us,  fori 
r>f  him. 

?  to  c'horish  and 
v'ho  irdierifi'd  all 
<-:inu'  in  my  way, 
i-ick  was,   of   all 

could  do  every- 
'  t'xtromo  ehoap- 
'aturcs  addicted 
['i-vals,  and  I  had 
y.     To  this  was 

his  s|.irits,  and 
.'US  permitted  to 
to  entertain  her 
>nsequencos,  and 

*'re  th(!  sitn  of  tlie 
int<'(i  out  as  in  the 
nu'dinte  vicinity  of 
it*8  Roy.—  M. 


my  tale  was  not  told  in  vain.  Aunt  weighecl  and  balanced 
all  things  in  her  mind,  and  drew  some  good  out  of  every- 
thing. 

White  servants,  wli(»m  very  few  jx'ople  had,  were  very 
exj)ensiv(!  heri'  ;  hut  there  was  a  mode  of  meliorating  things. 
Pool- people  who  came  adventurers  from  other  countries, 
and  found  a  settlement  a  slower  process  than  they  were 
aware  of,  had  got  into  a  mode  of  apjjrent icing  their  child- 
ren. No  risk  attended  this  ill  Albany  ;  custom  is  all-power- 
ful ;  anil  lenity  to  servants  was  so  much  the  custom,  that 
to  ill-use  a  defenceless  creature  in  your  power  was  reckoned 
infamous,  and  was  indeed  unheard  of.  Aunt  recommended 
the  young  C'oonies,  who  w»re  fliu'  well-looking  children,  for 
ap|»rentices  to  some  of  the  best  families  in  town,  where  they 
were  well  l»red  and  well-treated,  and  we  all  conti'ibuted 
de(^ent  clothing  foi-  them  to  go  home  in.  I  deeply  felt  this 
obligation,  and  little  thought  how  soon  F  was  to  be  deprived 
of  all  the  happiness  I  owed  to  the  frieiKlship  of  my  dear 
benefactress.  This  accession  occupied  and  i)k'ased  me  ex- 
ceedingly ;  my  attachment  to  the  little  boy  grew  hourly, 
and  I  indulgiMl  it  to  a  degree  I  certainly  would  not  have 
done,  if  I  had  not  set  him  down  for  one  of  the  future  in- 
habitants of  naren(b)n  ;  that  region  of  fancied  felicity, 
where  I  was  building  log-houses  in  the  air  porj)etually,  and 
filling  them  with  an  imaginary  population,  innocent  and 
intelligent  beyond  comparison.  These  visions,  however, 
were  soon  destined  to  give  way  to  sad  realities.  The 
greatest  immediate  tribulation  I  was  liable  to,  was  Patrick's 
coming  home  now  and  then  gay  beyond  his  wonted  gayety  ; 
which  grieved  me  both  on  Kate's  account  and  that  of  little 
Paddy  :  but  in  the  fertile  plains  of  Claren<h)n,  rei7iedies 
were  to  be  found  for  every  passing  evil  ;  and  I  had  not  the 
least  doubt  of  liaving  influence  enough  to  prevent  the  ad- 
mission of  spirituous  liquors  info  that  "region  of  calm  de- 
lights."    Such  were  the  dreams  from  which  I  was  awakened 


!     i'l 


'IM 


^1 


332 


Mkmoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


(on   returning  from  a  lo'.g  visit  to  aunt)    l>y  my   fatlicr's 
avowinitif  liis  fixed  intention  to  return  home. 

A  very  worthy  Arcjylesliire  friend  of  liis,  in  the  meantime, 
eame  and  paid  him  a  visit  of  a  montli  ;  wliieh  montli  was 
occupied  in  the  most  endearint^  re(H)llections  of  l>ocha.wside, 
and  the  liills  of  ^Nlorven.  When  I  returned,  I  heard  of 
nothing  but  the  Alpine  scenes  of  Scotland,  of  whidi  I  had 
not  the  smallest  recollection  ;  but  which  I  loved  with  boi-- 
rowed  enthusiasm  :  so  well  that  they  at  times  balanced  with 
Clarendon.  My  next  source  of  comfort  was,  that  I  was  to 
return  to  the  land  of  light  and  freedom,  and  mingle,  as  I 
flattered  myself  T  sliould,  with  such  as  those  whom  I  had 
admired  in  their  immortal  works.  Detei'mined  to  be  happy, 
with  the  sanguine  eagerness  of  youth,  the  very  opposite 
materials  served  for  constructing  another  ideal  fabric. 


CHAPTER  LX. 
IMus.  SciiUYLEu's  View  of  the  Continental  Politics. 

^\.UNT  was  extremely  sorry  when  the  final  determina- 
tion was  announced.  She  had  now  her  good  sister-in-law, 
IVIrs,  Wendell,  with  lier,  and  seemed  mudi  to  enjoy  tlie 
society  of  that  meek,  ])i()us  woman,  who  was  as  liappy  as  any 
thing  earthly  could  make  her.  As  to  public  affairs  their 
aspect  did  not  please  lier  ;  and  therefore  she  endeavored,  as 
far  as  possible,  to  withdraw  her  attention  from  them.  She 
was  too  well  accpiaiiited  with  tlie  complicated  nature  of 
luiman  affairs,  to  give  a  rash  judgment  on  tlie  political  dis- 
]>utes  then  in  agitation.  She  saw  indeed  reason  for  a|»pre- 
hension  whatever  way  she  turned.  She  knew  the  ])rejudices 
and  self-opinion  fast  spreading  througli  the  country  too  well, 
to  expect  quiet  submission,  and  could  see  nothing  on  all 
hands  but  a  choice  of  evils.     Were  the  provinces  to  set  up  for 


iADY. 

l>y   my    fatlu-r's 

M  (111'  MicaiifiTno, 
lirli  inoiitli  w.'is 
s  of  L()('Ii;uvsi<1i', 
led,    I   lu'iird   of 
<»f   wliicli  I  had 
lov('<l  with  l)(»r- 
os  hahiiicod  with 
IS,  that  I  was  to 
lid  iiiiiiirl(>j  as  I 
)sc'  whom  I  had 
kmI  tol)f  happy, 
o  very   opposite 
loal  fabric. 


«fTAL  Politics. 

iiial  dctcnnina- 
)d  sister-in-law, 
'Ji    to  enjoy  the 
.'IS  happy  as  any 
lie  affairs  their 
oiuleavored,  as 
om  them.     She 
ated  natnre  of 
le  political  dis- 
ason  for  appre- 
r  the  prejudices 
uintry  too  well, 
nothing  on  all 
ces  to  set  up  for 


I , 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


333 


themselves,  she  thought  they  had  not  cohesion  nor  siihordi- 
natioii  enough  among  them  to  form,  or  to  submit  to   any 
salutary  plan  of  government.     On  the  other  hand  she  saw 
no  good  effi'ct  likely  to  result  from  a  reluctant  depeiideiic(! 
on    a  distant    people,   whom    they   already  began   to  hate, 
though  hitherto  nursed  and  protected  by  tliem.     Slie  clearly 
foresaw  that  no  mode  of  taxation  could  be  invented  to  which 
they  wouhl  easily  submit  ;  ami  that  the  defence  of  the  con- 
tinent  from   enemies,  and   keeping   the   lu-cessary  military 
force  to  ))rotect  the  weak  and  awe  the  turbulent,  would  be 
a  )»er[)etual  drain  of  men  and  money  to  (Jreat  Ibitain,  still 
increasing  with  the  increased  population.      In  short,  she  held 
all    the  specious   plaiv   that   were  talked    over   very  chea]>  ; 
while hei" affection  for  liritain  ma«h'  her  shudilerat  the  most 
distant  idea  of  a  separation  ;  yet  not   as  supposing  such  a 
step  very  hurtful  to  this  country,  which  would  be  thus  freed 
of  a  very  costly  incumbrance.      I  Jut  the  dread   of   future 
anarchy,  the  horrors  of  civil  war,  and  the  dereliction  of  prin- 
ciple which  generally  results  from  tumultuary  conflicts,  were 
the  spectres  with  which  she  wa:^  haunted. 

Having  now  once  for  all  given  (to  the  best  of  my  recol- 
lection) a  faithful  sketdi  of  aunt's  opinions  on  this  intricate 
subject,  I  shall  not  recur  to  them,  nor  by  any  means  attempt 
to  enter  into  any  detail  of  the  dark  days  that  were  aj)- 
])roaching.  First,  because  I  feel  unspeakable  pain  in  looking 
back  u])on  oceuriences  that  I  know  tcjo  well,  though  I  was 
not  there  to  witness  ;  in  which  the  friends  of  my  early 
youth  were  greatly  involved,  and  luul  much  indeed  to  en- 
dure, on  both  sides.  Next,  because  there  is  little  satisfac- 
tion in  narrating  transactions  where  there  is  no  room  to 
praise  either  side.  That  waste  of  personal  courage  and 
Jiritish  blood  and  treasure,  which  were  s(|uaiidered  to  no 
purj)ose  on  one  side  in  that  ill-conducted  war,  and  the  in- 
solence and  cruelty  Avhich  tarnished  the  triumph  of  the 
other,  form  no  pleasing  subject  of  retrospection  :  while  the 


I 


I,. 

t 


334 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


■'1 


1 1 


i         f: 


1 1 


imsuccssfiil  and  (iftcn  iinri-wanliMl  loyjilty  of  tin  ^ufTorcrs 
for  i^ovcniiiu'iM,  caniKit  he  rccoIU'ctt'd  witlumt  tlu'  most 
woiiiKliiiLi:  I'cifrct.  'I'lic  years  of  .MadaiiH",  after  I  )»arle(l 
with  her,  were  iiivohcd  in  a  ehtwd  raised  hy  the  conlliets  of 
eontendiiii;  arms,  which  I  vainly  einh-avored  to  ])rHe(rate. 
My  acH'oiint  of  lier  must  thei'ef(»re,  in  a  great  measure, 
terminate  with  this  sad  yeai".  My  father  taking  in  sjtring 
decided  measures  for  k'aving  Anu'rica,  intruste*!  his  hands 
to  the  care  of  liis  friend  .f(thn  Munro,  Ks(|.,  then  resi<ling 
near  ('laren(h)n,  and  chief  magistrate  of  that  newdy  peopled 
district  ;  a  very  worthy  frit'ud  and  countryman  of  his  own, 
who  was  then  in  liigh  ti'iumph,  on  account  of  a  fancied  eon- 
<|nest  over  the  su|t|>ortcrs  of  the  twenty  mile  lino;  and 
thought,  when  that  i»oint  was  fully  estahlished,  there  would 
l)e  no  further  (dtstruction  to  their  realizing  their  ])roi>erty 
to  great  advantage,  or  coloni/ing  it  fi"om  Scotland,  if  such 
shotdd  l)e  their  wish.  Aunt  leaned  liard  to  the  latter  ex- 
pedient, Imt  my  father  could  not  think  of  leaving  me  be- 
hind to  await  tlie  cliance  of  his  return  ;  and  I  had  been 
talked  into  a  wish  for  iwisiting  the  land  t  i'  my  nativity. 

1  K'ft  my  (hitnestic  favorites  with  great  pain,  but  took 
care  to  introduce  them  to  aunt,  and  implored  her,  with  all 
tlie  ])athos  I  was  mistress  of,  to  take  an  interest  in  them 
when  T  was  gone  ;  which  she  very  good  naturedly  promised 
to  do.  Another  very  kind  thing  she  did.  Once  a  year  she 
spent  a  <h'iy  or  two  at  (icneral  Schuyler''s,  T  call  liim  ))y  liis 
later  accpdred  title,  to  distinguish  him  from  the  number  of 
his  namesakes  I  have  had  occasion  to  mention.  She  now 
so  timed  lier  visit  (though  in  dreadful  weather)  that  I 
might  acc(mi)tany  her,  and  take  my  last  farewell  of  my 
young  eomi)anions  tliere  :  yet  I  could  not  bring  myself  to 
think  it  a  final  one.  Tlie  terrible  words,  >to  more.,  never 
passed  my  lij)s.  I  had  too  buoyant  a  s]>irit  to  encounter 
a  voluntary  heart-aclie  by  looking  on  the  dark  side  of  any- 
thing,  and  always  figured  myself  returning,  and  joyfully 
received  by  the  friends  with  whom  I  was  parting. 


'  w^..^^^ 


iADY. 

y  of  tin  xiifTerors 
illioiit    fill'   most 
(',  iiffcr  I   parttMl 
»y  tlic  ('onllicts  of 
yr(\   i(>  pcHcfrati'. 
I   sj^rcji)    iMcasiiri', 
takiiitr  in  s]>rin<jf 
tnis',!."!  his  lands 
<|.,  (Ik'ii  residing 
Mt  nowly  i)0()j)led 
Lilian  of  his  own, 
of  a  fancied  con- 
'  mile  line  ;  and 
led,  there  wonld 
g  their  j>ro|)ei-ty 
"^eotland,  if  such 
to  the  latter  cx- 
f  leaving  me  be- 
iind   I  had  been 
'"  my  nativity, 
i  pain,  but  took 
•ed  lier,  with  all 
interest   in  them 
ui-edly  promised 
Once  a  year  she 
call  him  by  his 
1  tlie  mimber  of 
ition.     She  now 
veather)   that  T 
farewell  of   my 
)ring  myself  to 
)to  ?/tori\  never 
it  to  encounter 
irk  side  of  any- 
;,  and  joyfully 
irting. 


I 


Memoirs  of  an  Amkuican  Lady. 


335 


C'lIAlTKK  FA'I. 

DKSf'nirTrox  of  thk  liincAKiNd  ri'oKiiiK  b  i;  on  FIimson's 

UivKi;. 


S 


OON  after  this  I  wltnesse(|,   for  the  last    time,   the  sub- 
lime   spectacle   of    the  ice  breaking  u|»   on  the   ilver  ;    an 
object  that  (ills  and  elevates  the  niind  wlfb  ideas  of  power, 
and  grandeur,  and,   indeecl,  niagnltici'Mce  ;   before  which  all 
the  triumphs  of  human  art  sink  into  contemptuous  inslgnili- 
cance.     This  noble  object  of  animatcMl   greatness,   for  such 
it  seemed,  I  never  missed  :  its  approach   being  announced, 
like  a  loud  and  long  peal  of  thunder,  the  whole  population 
of  Albany  were  tb)Wn  at   the  river  side  in  a   moment  ;  and 
if  it  ha)>i)ened,  as  was  often  the  case,  in  the  morning,  there 
could  not  be  a  moi'e   grotes(]Ue   asscmlfiage.     Xo   one   who 
had  a  night-cap  on  waited  to  ]»ut  it  oil" ;  as  ior  waiting  for 
one's  cloak,  or  gloves,  It  was  a  thing  out  of  the  (piestlon  ; 
you  caught  the  thing  next  you,  that  could  wrap  round  you, 
and  run.     In  the  way  you   saw  every  door  left  open,  and 
l)ails,  baskets,  etc.,  without  luimber,  set  down  in  the  street. 
It  was  a  perfect  saturnalia.     People  never  dreamt  of  being 
obeyed  by  their  slaves,  till  the  ice  was  past.     The  houses 
were  left  quite  emj>ty  :    the    meanest  slave,  the  youngest 
child,  all  were  to  be   fomid  on   the  shore.     Such   as  could 
walk,  ran  ;  and  they  that  ccndd  n(jt,  were  carried  by  those 
whose  duty  it  would  have  been  to  stay  and  attend  them. 
When  arrived  at  the  nhoicphice,  nidike  the  audience  collected 
to  witness  any  spectacle  of  human  inventioji,  the  multitude 
with  their  eyes  all   bent   one  way,    stood  lmmt)vablo,  and 
silent  as  death,  till  the  tumult  ceased,  and  the  mighty  com- 
motion was  passed  by  ;  then  every  one  tried  to  give  vent 
to  the  vast  conceptions  with   which  his  mind  had  been  dis- 
tended.    Every  child,  and  every  negro,  was  sure  to  say, 
"  Is  not  this  like  the  day  of  judgment  ?"  and  what  they 


r.    ! 


I    '>w 


Mkmoihs  UK  AN  Amimuoan  Lady. 

said  every  one  else  tlioiijjflit.  Now  to  (leseril)e  (his  is  im- 
jiossiltic  ;  luit  I  mean  to  aee<»niit,  in  some  dei^ree,  lor  it. 
'I'lu'  ici',  wliieli  liad  Iteen  all  wiiiler  veiy  lliiek,  instead  of 
dimiiiisliiiiL;-,  as  miojil  he  expeetecl  in  s|>rin;j^,  still  increased, 
as  tlie  sun  :  liine  eauie,  and  llu'  days  lentftliened.  .Much 
snow  tell  in  Feltruary  ;  wlii(  h,  melted  I»y  the  heat  ot"  lh(( 
sun,  was  staL!;nant,  for  a  day,  on  the  snrl'aee  of  the  ice  ; 
and  then  hy  the  iiiLjht  frosts,  which  wi're  still  severe,  was 
added,  as  a  new  accession  to  the  thickness  of  it,  ahove  the 
former  snrface.  This  was  so  often  repeated,  that  in  some 
}i'ars  thi'  ici'  t^aineil  two  feet  in  thickness,  after  the  heat  of 
the  snn  became  such,  as  oni-  would  have  expected  should 
have  entirely  disf;olv(Ml  it.  So  »'onscious  weic  the  mitives 
of  the  safely  this  accumulation  of  ici'  alfoided,  that  the 
sledifes  continued  to  drive  on  the  ice,  when  the  trees  were 
budding",  :  id  every  thing  looke<|  like  sjiring  ;  nay,  when 
there  was  so  much  meltecl  on  (he  surface'  that  the  hoi'ses 
were  knee  deep  in  wati'r,  while  traveling  on  it  ;  and  |)or- 
tentous  i-rac  ks,  on  every  side,  announced  the  approaching 
ru)»ture.  This  could  scarce  have  been  p?'oduce<l  by  the 
mere  intiueut-e  of  the  sun,  till  midsummer.  It  was  the 
swelling  of  the  waters  under  the  ice,  increased  by  rivulets, 
enlarged  by  melted  snows,  thai  produced  this  catastrophe  ; 
for  such  the  awful  concussion  made  it  appear.  The  pre- 
lude to  the  general  bursting  of  this  mighty  mass,  was  a 
fracture,  lengthways,  in  (he  middle  of  the  stream,  produced 
by  the  elfort  of  the  imprisoned  waters,  now  increased  too 
much  to  be  contained  within  their  wonted  bounds.  Con- 
ceive a  solid  mass,  fi-om  six  to  eight  feet  thick,  bursting 
for  many  miles  in  one  continued  rupture,  pro<luced  by  a 
force  inconceivably  great,  and,  in  a  manner,  inexpressibly 
sudilen.  Thunder  is  no  adetjuate  image  of  this  awful  ex- 
l)K)sion,  which  rtmsed  all  the  sleepers,  within  reach  of  the 
sound,  as  completely  as  the  final  convulsion  of  nature,  and 
the  solemn  peal  of  the  awakening  trumpet,  might  be  sup- 


U 


Lady. 


MkMOIKS    UK    AN     A.MIIUK'AN    LaDY. 


I'scrihc  this   is  iin- 
nc   (li'Ljrt'c,    for  if. 

thick,  iiistc'Hl  (»r 
\\<^,  still  iiicrcascil, 
ii<::th('ii('(I,  Much 
y  the  heat  of  the 
irfacc  of  the  ice  ; 
V  still  severe,  was 
vs  of  it,  above  the 
teil,  that  ill  some 
,  alter  the  heat  of 

e.\|K'cte(l  should 
1  were  the  natives 
ilVorded,  that  the 
leii  the  trees  were 
priiig  ;  nay,  wlii-n 
'c  that  the  horses 
j;  t)ii  it  ;  and  |)<»r- 

the  approaching? 
jirodiu-ed  l>y  the 
nier.  It  was  (ho 
eased  hy  rivulets, 
this  catastrophe  ; 
ippear.  The  jtre- 
<;hty  mass,  was  a 
stream,  produced 
low  increased  too 
'<1  hounds.  Con- 
-'t  thick,  bursting 
I',  produced  by  a 
tier,  inexpressibly 
of  this  awful  ox- 
thin  reach  of  the 
1)11  of  nature,  and 
et,  might  bo  sup- 


posi'd  to  do.  The  stream  in  summer  was  conlincil  l»y 
!i  pebbly  strand,  overhung  with  high  and  sleep  banks, 
crowiietl  with  l(»flv  trees,  which  were  coiisidere(l  as  a 
sacred  barrier  against  the  encroat'hments  <»f  this  annual 
visitation.  Never  dryads  dwelt  in  more  security  than  those 
of  the  vine  clad  elms,  that  extendeil  their  am|>le  Itiaiichos 
over  this  mighty  stream.  Their  tangled  nets  laid  bare  by  the 
iin|iet  lions  torrents,  foi'iiied  'averiis  ever  fresh  and  fragrant  ; 
wlu'iv  the  most  delicate  plants  lloiirished,  iinvisited  by 
scorching  siin>,  or  snipping  blasts  ;  ami  nothing  could  bo 
more  singular  than  the  variety  of  plants  and  biids  that  wero 
shi'ltered  in  thesi-  intricate  safe  recesses.  Hut  when  tiio 
bursting  of  thi'  crystal  surface  set  loose  the  m.aiiy  waters 
that  had  rushed  down,  swollen  with  the  annual  tribiitt'of 
dissolving  snow,  the  islands  and  low  'ands  were  all  thtoded 
in  an  instant  ;  and  the  lofty  b.anks,  from  which  you  were 
Wont  to  overlook  the  stream,  were  now  entirely  rille<|  by 
an  im|»etuous  torrent,  bearing  down,  with  incredible  and 
tuiviultuoiis  rage,  immense  shoals  of  ice  ;  which,  breaking 
every  instant  by  the  concussion  of  others,  jamnie(l  together 
in  some  places,  in  others  erecting  themselvi'S  in  gigantic 
heights  for  an  instant  in  the  air,  and  seemed  to  combat 
with  their  fellow  giants  crowding  on  in  all  dir(!ctioiis,  and 
falling  together  with  an  iiiconceivablo  crasii,  formed  a  ter- 
rible moving  picture,  animated  and  various  beyoiul  concep- 
tion ;  for  it  was  not  only  the  cerulean  ice,  wlioso  broken  edges 
ctuiibating  with  tiie  stream,  refracted  liglit  into  a  tiiousand 
rainbows,  that  charnu'd  your  attention,  l(»fty  pines,  largo 
j)ieces  of  the  bank  torn  oil"  by  the  ice  with  all  their  early 
green  ami  teiidei'  foliage,  wore  drove  on  like  traveling 
islands,  amid  this  battle  of  breakers,  for  such  it  seemed.  I 
ani  absurdly  attempting  to  paint  a  scene,  under  which  the 
powers  of  language  sink.  SiitKce  it,  that  this  year  its 
soloninity  was  increased  by  an  unusual  quantity  of  snow, 

43 


338 


Mkaioius  of  an  Ami'.uican  Lady. 


wliifli  tlic  l:ist  lianl  winlcr  luul  accumuliUccl,  and  tlu'  «lis- 
Holiitioii  (>r  wliicli  now  tlnculcni'tl  an  inundation. 

Solctnii  indeed  it  was  to  nic,  as  tlic  nicnicnto  of  my  ap- 
proac'hinu;  journey,  which  was  to  tai<e  place  whenever  tlu» 
lee  broke,  whii-li  is  here  a  kitid  of  epoch.  The  parlini;  with 
all  that  I  IovcmI  at  the  Fiats  was  such  an  allliction,  as  it  is 
even  yet  a  renewal  of  sorrows  t(»  recollect.  1  loved  the 
very  barn  and  the  swanij)  I  have  cU'scribed  so  much  that 
I  eotdd  not  see  them  for  the  last  tinii'  without  a  pani;.  As 
for  the  island  and  the  bank  of  the  river,  I  know  not  how  I 
sliould  have  parted  with  them,  if  1  had  thought  the  partinjjf 
final  ;  the  good  kind  neighlx'  ■«,  and  my  faithful  and  most 
affectionate  Marian,  to  whom  (»f  all  others  this  separation 
was  most  wounding,  grieved  me  not  a  little.  I  was  always 
sanguine  in  the  extreme,  and  would  h()i>e  against  hope  ; 
but  Marian,  who  was  older,  and  had  more  common  sense, 
knew  too  well  how  little  likelihood  there  was  of  my  ever 
returning.  Often  with  streaming  eyes  and  bursting  sol)s 
she  begged  to  know  if  tlie  soul  of  a  person  dying  in  Ame- 
rica could  find  its  way  over  the  vast  ocean  to  join  that  of 
tliose  who  rose  to  the  abodes  of  future  bliss  from  Kurope  : 
her  hope  of  a  reunion  being  now  entirely  referred  to  that 
in  a  better  world.  There  was  no  truth  1  found  it  so  ditti- 
cult  to  impress  upon  her  mind  as  the  possibility  of  spirits 
being  instantaneously  transporteil  from  one  distant  place  to 
another  ;  a  doctrine  which  seemed  to  her  very  comfortable. 
Her  agony  at  the  iinal  parting  I  dt)  not  like  to  think  of. 
When  T  used  to  obtain  permission  to  pass  a  little  time  in 
town,  I  was  transported  with  the  thoughts  of  the  enjoy- 
ments that  awaited  me  in  the  society  of  my  patroness,  and 
the  young  friends  I  most  loved. 


Lady. 


Mkmoiks  of  an  Amkhk  an  Lady. 


339 


iili'tl,  .'Uid   file  <lis- 
iliUion. 

I'liicntu  of  my  ap- 
ace wlu'in'.vcr  till' 
riic  parting  with 
1  iifHlctiuii,  as  it  is 
icct.  I  loved  the 
heil  so  iiiiicli  that 
hout  a  pant;.  As 
I  know  not  h«»w  I 
oiij^ht  the  |»artin<; 
I'aithfnl  and  most 
rs  this  separation 
h".  I  was  always 
pe  aj^ainst  h()j)0  ; 
•e  eomnion  sense, 
e  was  of  my  ever 
md  burstinj?  sohs 
ion  dyinj;  in  Ame- 
a]i  to  join  that  of 
iss  fnjin  Kiirope  : 
y  referred  to  that 
[  found  it  so  ditli- 
ssihility  of  spirits 
lie  distant  place  to 
very  comfortahle. 
t  like  to  think  of. 
iss  a  little  time  in 
hts  of  the  enjoy- 
niy  patroness,  and 


CII.MTKIJ   I. XII. 

DkI'ARTI'RE  from   AlJtANV — ()|{|OI\  OK  THE  StATK  (»1-' 

\'i:itMt»Nr. 

.rVi-'TMl!  i|nittin<;  the  Flats  we  were  to  stay  for  some  days 
at  Madame's,  till  we  should  make  :i  circular  visit,  and  take 
leave,  iiavini;  lulled  my  disappointnu-nt  with  regard  to 
Clarendon,'  and  tilliMl  all  my  dreams  with  imaj^esof  Clydes- 
dale and  TwetMlale,  and  every  other  vale  or  dale  that  wen; 
the  haunts  of  the  pastoral  nnise  in  Scotland,  I  tjrew  pretty 
well  reconciled  to  my  ap|M-oachin;.(  journey  ;  thiiikini;  I 
should  nu'ct  piety  ami  literature  in  every  cottage,  and  poetry 
and  music  in  every  recess,  amonj;  the  suhlime  scenery  of  tny 
native  mountains.  At  any  rate,  I  was  sure  I  should  hear 
the  larks  sin<;,  and  see  the  early  primi'ose  deck  the  woods, 
and  daisies  enamel  the  nu-adows.  On  all  which  privileges 
I  hatl  been  taught  to  set  the  due  value,  yet  \  wondered  very 
nuu'h  how  it  was  that  I  could  enjoy  nothing  with  sudi  gay 
visions  opening  before  me  ;  my  heart,  I  suppf>sed,  was 
honester  than  jny  imagination,  for  it  refuse*!  to  take  plea- 
sure in  anything  ;  which  was  a  state  of  mind  so  new  to  me 
that  I  could  iu)t  understand  it.  Kvcrvwhere  \  was  caressed, 
and  none  of  these  caresses  gave  me  jdeasure  ;  at  length  the 


'  Duncaii  MacVicar  was  astati'ollicerof  thc55th  Scotcli  Higlilanders 
of  tliu  rank  of  licutcuaiit.  As  micli  otliccr  he  was  eiitillcd  to  2000 
acri'8  of  land,  and  l)y  tlu;  purchases  which  Mrs.  Grant  speaks  of,  be- 
came the  proprietor  of  4000  more,  all  of  which  lie  located  in  a  body, 
partly  in  tlie  town  of  Shattsbury  and  partly  in  wliat  is  now  White 
Creek,  N.  Y,,  the  twenty  mile  line  runnini;  exactly  throujrh  the  centre 
of  it.  This  property  he  called  a  township,  and  gave  it  the  name  of 
Clarendon,  and  anticipated,  as  Mrs.  Orant  says,  great  enjoyment  of  a 
baronial  estate.  Becoming  disgusted  with  the  surroundings  of  his 
jnoperty,  unable  to  obtain  a  (suitable  tenantry,  and  alarmed  at  the 
B|)read  of  republicanism  and  disloyalty,  ho  enibark(Hl  in  the  summer 
of  1770,  with  his  daughter,  then  about  fifttien  years  old,  for  his  native 
Scotland.     See  Ililand  Hall's  Early  Uistory  of  Vermont. —  M. 


i 


. 


i! 

i    n 

■A        I  i 


i 


340 


Mkmoiks  of  an   Amkuican  Ladv. 


SM(1  (lay  (•:iiiu' tliat  I  was  to  lake  tlic  last  raicwcll  of  my  first, 
best  rricnd,  who  liad  often  in  vain  niiicd  my  parents  to 
leave  me  till  they  shonhl  <h'i'i<ie  wiielher  to  stay  or  return. 
About  this  tiieydid  not  hesitate;  nor,  thouixh  they  had, 
could  r  have  divesletl  myself  of  the  desire  now  waked  in 
my  mind,  of  seeing  once  more  my  native  land,  which  I 
merely  lo\i'(l  upon  trust,  not  having  the  faintest  recollection 
of  it. 

M.ulamc  cmbractMl  me  ten<lerly  with  many  tears,  at  jtart- 
insj;  ;  and  1  fell  a  kind  ol  jiri'lusive  anguish,  .as  if  I  li;i<l 
anticipated  tlu'  sttriows  th.at  aw.aitecl  ;  I  do  not  ine;in  now 
the  painful  vicissitudes  of  after  I'ie,  hut  merely  the  cruel 
dis.appointnu'ut  th.at  I  felt  in  lindinu;  the  scenery  and  its 
inh.ahitants  so  dill'erent  from  the  Klysi.an  vah's  .and  .Vrcadian 
swains,  that  I  had  im.anincil. 

When  we  came  aw.ay,  l»y  an  odd  coincidence,  aunt's 
ne|)hew  I'eler  w.as  just  .about  to  be  maia'icd  to  ;i  vi'rv  line 
youni;  creature,  whom  his  relations  did  not,  for  some  reason 
that  I  do  not  ri-nuMuber,  think  suitable  ;  while,  .at  the  very 
same  time,  her  niece,  Miss  W.  ha<l  i-aptivated  the  son  of  a 
rich  but  avaricious  m.an,  who  would  not  consi'ut  to  his  mar- 
ryiuijjlu'r,  unless  .aunt  i^avea  fortune  with  her  ;  which,  beinu^ 
an  unusiial  dem.and,  she  did  not  choose  to  comply  with,  I 
was  the  proud  and  h.appy  coulidant  of  both  thi'se  lovers; 
and  before  we  left  New  ^  ork  we  heard  that  e.ach  had  mar- 
ried without  waitint;  for  ihe  withheld  consent.  And  thus 
for  once  Madanu'  w.as  K'ft  without  a  />n>f('</i\  l)ut  still  she 
had  her  sister  W.  .and  soon  .acquire  1  a  new  set  of  children, 
the  orphan  sous  of  her  nephew  Cor  landt  Schuyler,  who 
continued  under  lu-r  car"  for  the  remaindei-  of  her  life. 

y\y  voyage  down  the  river,  which  was  by  contr.ary  winds 
j>rotr;uted  to  a  whole  wei'k,  would  have  been  very  ple.as.ant, 
could  anything  h;ivi'  pleased  me.  I  was  at  least  soothed 
bv  the  extreme  beaut v  of  m.any  scenes  on  the  banks  of  this 
tine  stream,  which  I  was  fated  never  more  to  behold. 


fiADV. 


Mkmoius  of  an   Amkrican   Ladv 


.^541 


ri'Wcll  of  my  first 
il  my  parcnls  lo 
(>  ,sl:iy  or  rcluni. 
Iioiitjli  llicy  liixl, 
(•  now  \v:il<('<l  in 
»'  liiiiil,  whicli  I 
iilcst  iccoUcctioii 

iiy  li'iirs,  !i(  i>;ii-l- 
isli,   MS  if   I   li.'id 

0  not  incMii  now 
merely  tlie  ci'uel 

seenei-y    :in(l  its 
les  Mntl  Are;i<lian 

ncidenee,  ;iiinl\s 
i'<l  to  M  very  fine 
,  tor  some  reason 
liile,  ill  llie  very 
ted  tlie  son  of  !i 
isent  to  liis  mar- 
.'r  ;  wliieli,  Iteinjx 
eomply  with,  I 
til  t iiese  lovers  ; 
Lt  each  had  mar- 
sent.  An<l  thiis 
'I'tji',  but  still  she 
set  of  I'hildren, 

1  Si  hiivler,   who 
of  her  life. 

^'  contrary  winds 
I'M  very  |)leasant, 
at  K'ast  soothed 
he  banks  of  this 
to  behtdd. 


Xotirmii  could  exeeecl  tlie  soft,  j^rateful  verdure  that  tnet 
the  eye  on  every  side  as  we  a|i|»ioached  New  ^'oik  :   it  was 
in   the    beifinninix  of    May,  the   threat    orchards    which   rose 
on  every  sjojie  were  ail  in   bloom,  and  the  woods  of  )io|ilai' 
Iteyond    them    had    their   s|iroutinL,'    foliaire  tint;<'d    with   a 
liu,hter  shade    of    the    freshest    i^recn.       Staten    Island    rose 
iXraihial  from   the  sea  in    which  it    seemed  to  lluat,  and    was 
soco\('i'ed  with  innumerable  fruit  trees  in  full  blossoni,  t  hat 
it   looked  like   some  enchanted    forest.      I  shall    not  atteni|it 
to  describe  a  place  so  well  known  as  New  ^'ork,  ImiI  merely 
content  myself  with  sayinti;  that  I  was  charmed  with  the  air 
of  easy  Ljayety,  and  social  kindness,  that  seemed   to  prevail 
I'Vi'rywhere  amonjf  the  people,  and  the  cheeiful,  animatcMl 
appeai'ance  of  the  place  alto;^r(.ther.      Mere  I  fed  the  paiid'ul 
lon^inj^s  of  my  mind,  which   already   be<^an   to  turn   impa- 
tiently towards  iNladame,  by  conversin<^  with  yountr  people 
whom  I  had  nu't  at  hei-  hotise,  on  their  summer  excursions, 
"^rhese  were   most    desirous  to   please  an<l   amuse   me  ;  and, 
though  I  knew  little  of  <;ood  bree<lin!^,  I  ha<l   tjood  nature 
enouu:h    to   try   to  seem    )»leased,   but,    in    fact,    I    enjoyed 
notliiui;.     Thouujh  I  s;iw  there  was  much  to  enjoy  had   my 
mind  been  turned  as  usual   to  social  delight,   fati<^ue(|  with 
the  kindness  of  others  and    my  own    simulation,  [   ti'icd  to 
forti^et   my  sorrows  in  sleep  ;  but  niii;ht,   that    was   wont  to 
bring  peace  and  silence  in  her  t  rain,  had  no  such  companions 
hei'e.     The  spii'it  of  discord  lia<l  l»roke  loose,     The  fernu'nta- 
tion  was  begun  that  lias  not  yet  ended.      >Vnd  at    midnight, 
bands  of   intoxicated  electors,   who  were    then   choosing  a 
member  foi'  the    assem])Iy,  came   thundering  to  the  doors, 
demanding  a   vote   for  their  fuv<»re<l  candidate.      .An   hour 
after  another  Marty  e(|ually  vociferous,  and  not  more  sober, 
alarmeil  us,   by  insisting  on  oui-  giving  our  votes  for  tlieir 
favorite  competitor.     This  was  mere  |il:iy  ;  but    before  wv 
embarked,   there   was  a   kind  of    prelusive    skirmish,  that 
stro?!gly  marked  the  .spirit  of  the  times.     Those  new  i)iitriotH 


i     ! 


d 


:  ^^: 


JU2 


Mkmoius  of  y\N  Amkrican  Lady. 


Ii;i(1  t.ikcn  if  in  llu'ir  heads  that  Liout.  (lov.  Coldcii  sent 
lioiiic  in(('lli«f('iic('  of  llu'ir  itrocccdiiii^s,  or  in  some  oilier 
way  I>etray«'<l  llu'iii,  as  tliey  tlioiit^lit,  to  ^ovenimeiil .  In 
one  of  these  tits  of  excess  ami  t'nry,  which  vrv  so  ol'tOn  th(^ 
i-esull  <»r  ]to)tuhii'  eh'ctions,  ihey  went  to  his  hnnse,  dreNV 
out  his  ciiach,  and  set  lire  to  it.  This  was  the  night  before 
we  endtai'ked,  alter  a  week's  slay  in  New  York. 

."My  lilth'  story  heing  no  h)n,i;ei"  Idench'd  with  tlie  memoirs 
of  my  benefactress,  I  sliall  not  tronbU'  the  reader  with  the 
account  of  onr  melancholy  and  pi-rilons  voya<j;e.  Here,  too, 
Avilh  regret  I  must  close  the  account  of  what  I  knew  of 
Aunt  Schuyler.  I  heard  very  little  of  her  till  llie  breaking 
out  of  that  disastrous  war,  which  evi'ry  one,  whatever  side 
they  may  have  taken  at  the  time,  must  look  back  on  with 
disgust  and  horror. 

To  tell  the  history  of  aunt  during  the  years  that  her  life 
was  prolonged  to  witness  scenes  abhorrent  to  her  feelings, 
and  her  |uiiu'i|iles,  would  be  apaiid'ul  task  indeed  ;  though 
1  were  better  infornu'd  than  I  am,  or  wish  to  be,  of  the 
transactions  of  those  perlurbed  times.  Of  her  j)rivate 
history  1  only  know,  that,  on  the  accidental  death,  formerly 
nu'ntioned,  of  her  nephew  C'ajtt.  C'ortlandt  Schuyler,  she 
took  home  his  two  (>ldest  sons,  and  kept  them  with  her  till 
her  own  de.ilh,  which  haitpened  in  iTT.'^or  1770.  I  know 
too,  that  liki'  the  Jioman  Atticus,  she  kept  free  from  the 
violeni'c  and  bigotry  of  pnrty,  and  like  him  tot),  kindly  and 
liberally  assisted  those  (»f  each  side,  who,  as  Mie  tide  '  t 
succi'ss  ran  difTiMi-nt  ways,  were  considered  as  unfortunate. 
On  this  subject  1  do  not  wish  to  enlarge,  but  shall  merely 
observe,  that  all  the  coloners  relations  wert' on  the  republi- 
can sidi',  while  every  one  of  her  own  nephews  adhered  to 
the  roval  cause,  to  their  verv  great  loss  and  detriment  : 
though  sonu'  of  tluMu  have  n(»w  found  a  home  in  Upper 
C'ana<la,  where,  if  they  aii'  alienated  from  their  native  pro- 
vince, they  have  at  least  the  consolation  of  meeting  many 


Lady. 


Memoirs  of  an   AiViiiiucAN  IjADY. 


343 


lov.  C^)l(l('n  sent 
r  ill  soiiu'  otluT 
i^ovi'niiiu'iil .  In 
.ire  so  ul'tiMi  \hv. 
Ills  liousc,  (livw 
tlic  niglil  bil'oro 
York. 

vitli  the  memoirs 
rciider  with  the 
ixifv.  Here,  too, 
what  I  knew  of 
till  the  l)n';ikiiig 
I',  whatever  side 
dU  hack  on  with 

ars  that  her  life 
j  to  her  feelings, 
indeed  ;  thongh 
h  to  be,  of  tlie 
Of   lier   private 

death,  formerly 
It  Schuyler,  slie 
em  with  her  till 
•  1779.  I  know 
[)t  free  from  the 
I  too,  kindly  and 
1,  as  Mie  tide  '  \ 

as  unfortunate. 
)ut  shall  merely 
eon  the  repnbli- 
U'ws  adhered  to 
and  detriment  ; 
home  in  Uj»per 
their  native  j)ro- 
f  meeting  niany 


other  deserving  peojile,  whom  the  fury  of  party  hail  driven 
there  for  refuge. ' 

Though  unwilling  to  obtrude  upon  my  reader  any  further 
particulars,  irri'levanl  to  tlu'  main  story  1  have  endeavored 
to  detail,  he  may  perlia|ts  be  desirous  to  know  how  the 
township  of  Clarendon  was  at  length  disposed  of.  .My 
father's  friend,  Captain  Munro,  was  engage<l  for  himself 
and  his  military  friends,  in  ;i  litigation,  or  I  should  rather 
say,  the  provinces  of  New  ^'ork  and  Comu'cticiil  continue<l 
to  dispute  the  right  to  the  boundary  within  the  twenty 
mile  line,  till  a  dispute  still  more  serious  gave  spirit  to  the 
new  settlers  from  C'omiecticnt,  to  rise  in  arms,  and  expel 
the  unfortunate  loyalists  from  that  district,  which  was 
bounded  on  one  side  by  the  (Jreen  mountain,  since  distin- 
guishecl,  like  Ivome  in  its  infancy,  as  a  jtlace  of  refuge  to 
all  the  lawless  and  uncontrollable  spirits  who  liad  banished 
thejusolves  from  general  society. 

It  was  a  great  mortification  to  speculative  romaiu-e  and 
vanity,  foi-  me  to  consider  that  the  very  spot,  which  I  had 
been  used  fondly  to  contemjdate  as  the  future  abode  of 
]>eace,  imux-eiu'c,  and  all  the  social  virtues,  that  this  very 
s|»ot  should  be  singled  out  from  all  others,  as  a  refuge  for 
the  vagabonds  and  banditti  of  the  continent.  They  wei'c, 
however,  distinguished  by  a  kind  of  desperate  bravei'y,  and 
unconquerable  obstinacy.     They,  at  one  time,  set  the  states 


'Since  writiiiff  the  above,  tlio  aiitlior  of  tliis  iinrrntivc,  Iiaa  heard 
many  iiurticularB  of  ilw.  later  years  of  lier  jrood  friend,  by  wli'cb  it 
appears,  tliat  to  tbe  bist  her  b)yalty  and  ])ubiic  si)iril  burned  witli  a 
clear  and  steady  tlamt;.  Slie  was  by  that  time  too  venerable  as  well 
a8  respectable  to  be  insulted  for  lusr  principles  ;  and  heropinions  were 
always  delivered  in  a  manner  firm  and  calm,  lik(;  her  own  mind, 
which  was  too  well  regulated  to  admit  the  rancor  of  party,  and  too 
dignified  to  stoop  to  disjjuise  of  any  kind.  She  died  full  of  years,  and 
honored  by  all  who  could  or  could  not  appreciate  her  worth  ;  for  not 
to  esteem  Aunt  Schuyler  was  to  forfeit  all  i)retenBious  to  estimation. — 
Mrs.  Orant. 


smi 


|i    I 


Memoiks  of  an  American  Lady. 

iuul  tlie  motlicr  coimtry  ('(ju.'illy  at  (IcfiaiU'c,  and  set  up  for 
an  iii(li'j)oii(lc'iu't'  of  tlu'ir  own  ;  on  this  oc('asi(;n  they  wcru 
so  trouMt'somc,  and  (lie  otluTs  so  tame,  that  tlic  last  iiion- 
tionod  wore  fain  to  jturcliast'  tlicir  nominal  suhniission  l»y  a 
1.  \s(  disgraceful  concession.  There  was  a  kind  of  ]>rovisi(Hi 
made  for  all  tlie  British  subjects  who  possessed  property  in 
the  alienated  provinces,  provided  that  they  had  not  bore 
arms  against  the  Americans  ;  tlu'se  were  permitted  to  sell 
their  lands,  though  not  foi'  their  full  vahu',  but  at  a  limited 
pi'ice.  My  father  came  ])recisely  under  this  description  ; 
but  the  (ireeu  mountain  boys,  as  the  irregular  iidiabitants 
ill  ihe  disputed  boundaries  were  then  called,  conscious  that 
all  the  lands  they  had  forcibly  usuri)ed  were  liable  to  this 
kind  of  claim,  set  up  the  standard  of  indej)endence.  They 
indeed  positively  refused  to  coidederate  with  the  rest,  or 
consent  to  the  proposed  peace,  unless  the  robbery  they  had 
committed  should  be  sanctioned  l)y  a  law,  giving  them  a 
full  right  to  retain,  uiupiessioned,  this  violent  acquisition. 

It  is  doubtful,  of  three  parties,  who  were  most  to  blame 
on  this  occasion.  The  tiepredators,  wlu),  in  deiiance  of  even 
natural  ecpiity,  >ei/A'd  an<l  erected  this  little  petulant  state. 
Tlie  mean  concession  of  the  other  provinces,  who,  after  j)er- 
mitting  tliis  one  to  set  theii"  authority  at  defiance,  soothed 
them  into  su.bmission  by  a  gift  t)f  what  was  not  theirs  to 
bestow  ;  or  the  tame  accpiiescence  of  the  then  ministry,  in 
a!i  arrangenuMit  wliich  dej)rived  faithful  subjects,  who  were 
at  the  same  tinu'  war-worn  veterans,  of  the  reward  assigned 
them  for  their  services. 

Proud  of  the  resemblance  which  their  origin  bore  to  that 
of  ancient  Rome,  they  latinized  the  common  api)ellation  of 
their  territoiy,  and  nuule  wholesome  hvws  f(U'  its  regulation, 
'^riius  began  the  l>etty  state  of  Vermont,  and  thus  ends  the 
history  of  an  heiress. 


II      i 


- 


jADY. 

.',  iiiid  st't  lip  for 
Ciision  they  were 
lilt  the   last  meii- 

siibiiiissioii  by  a 
kind  (»f  ]»r<)visi()u 
■sst'<l  property  in 
'y  Inul  not  bore 
permitted  to  sell 
,  but  at  a  limited 
his  deseri})tion  ; 
fular  inhabitants 
d,  eonseious  that 
're  liable  to  this 
)endence.  They 
rvith  the  rest,  or 
obbery  they  had 
,  giving  them  a 
.'nt  acquisition, 
e  most  to  blame 

defiance  of  even 
e  petulant  state. 
•I,  who,  after  per- 
letiance,  soothed 
ras  not  theirs  to 
hen  ministry,  in 
Ujects,  who  were 
reward  assigned 

igin  bore  to  that 
in  aj»pellati<in  of 
)r  its  regulati<)n. 
nd  thus  ends  the 


Memoirs  or  an  American  Lady.  345 

cii A rn:H  lxhi. 

Piiosi'KRrrv  OK  Amja.nv  —  (Jknkral  Kekj.kcmons. 

X  HOPE  my  j-eaders  will  share  the  satisfaction  I  feel,  in 
contemplating,  at  this  <listance,  the  growing  prosperity  of 
Albany,  which  is,  I  am  tohl,  greatly  increased  in  si/e  and 
conse(pience,  far  superior,  indeed,  to  any  iidand  town  on  the 
continent,  so  important  from  its  centrical  situation,  that  it 
has  been  [irojtosed  as  the  seat  of  congress,  which,  should 
the  party  attached  to  Urit.'si'i  ever  gain  the  ascendancy  over 
tlie  southern  states,  would,  very  probably  be  the  case.  The 
inorality,  simple  manners,  and  consistent  opinions  of  the 
inhabitants,  still  bearing  evident  traces  of  that  integrity  an<l 
simplicity  which  once  distinguished  them.  The  reflections 
which  must  result  from  the  knowledge  of  these  circumstances 
are  so  obvious,  that  it  is  needless  to  point  them  out. 

A  reader  that  has  patience  to  proceed  thus  far,  in  a  narra- 
tion too  careless  and  desultory  for  the  grave,  and  too  heavy 
and  perplexed  for  the  gay,  too  minute  for  the  f)usy,  and  too 
serious  tor  the  idle  ;  such  a  reader  must  have  been  le<l  on 
by  an  interest  in  the  virtues  of  the  leatling  character,  and 
will  be  sufficiently  awake  to  their  ivmaining  effects. 

Very  different,  however,  nnist  be  the  reflections  that  arise 

from  a  more  general  view  of  the  present  state  of  our  ancient 

colonies. 

"  0  for  that  warning  voice,  wliich  he  who  saw 
Th'  Apncalypsf,  heard  cry,  That  a  voice,  like 
Tlie  deep  and  dreadful  orpjan-piije  of  Heaven," 

would  speak  terror  to  those  whose  delight  is  in  change  and 
agitation  ;  to  those  who  wantonly  light  u\>  the  torch  of 
discord,  which  many  waters  will  not  extinguish.  Even 
when  })eace  succeeds  to  the  breathless  fury  of  such  a  contest, 
it  comes  too  late  to  restore  the  virtues,  the  liopes,  the  affec- 
tions that  have  perished  in  it.    The  gangrene  of  the  land  is 

44 


D 


Hji 


i-lf, 


346 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


pot  healed,  and  tlie  |)r()|)liets  vainly  cM'y  peace  !  i)eace  i  where 
there  is  no  p^^r.',  e. 

TTowever  upright  the  intentions  may  he  of  the  first  leaders 
of  poj)nlar  insurreetion,  it  may  he  truly  said  of  them,  in  the 
end,  instruments  of  cruelty  are  in  their  habitations  :  nay, 
must  be,  for  when  they  have  jiroceeded  a  certain  length, 
conciliation  or  lenity  vrnlj  l^p  cruelty  to  their  followei's, 
■who  are  gone  too  far,  to  return  to  the  place  from  which 
they  set  out.  Rectitude,  hitherto  upheld  hy  laws,  by  custom, 
and  by  fear,  now  walks  alone,  in  unaccustomed  paths,  and 
like  a  tottering  infant,  falls  at  the  fii-st  assault,  or  first  ob- 
stacle it  meets  ;  but  falls  to  rise  no  more.  Let  any  one  who 
has  mixed  nmch  with  mankind,  say,  what  would  be  tlie  con- 
sequence if  restraint  were  withdrawn,  and  impunity  offered 
to  all  whose  probity  is  not  fixed  on  the  basis  of  real  l)iety, 
or  supported  by  singular  fortitude,  and  that  sound  sense 
which,  discerning  remote  conse<piences,  preserves  integrity 
as  armor  of  proof  against  the  worst  that  can  hai»i)en. 

True  it  is,  that  amidst  these  convulsions  of  the  moral 
world,  exigencies  bring  out  some  chai'acters  that  sweep 
across  the  gloom  like  meteors  in  a  temj)estuous  night,  which 
would  not  have  been  distinguished  in  tlw  sunshine  ^)f  }tros- 
])erity.  It  is  in  the  swell  of  the  turbulent  ocean  that  the 
migiitiest  living  handv-works  of  the  author  of  nature  are  to 
be  met  with.  Great  minds  no  doubt  are  called  out  by  ex- 
igencies, and  put  foi'th  all  their  ])owers.  Though  II(>rcules 
slew  the  Ilvdra  and  cleansed  the  Auga'an  stabU',  all  but 
poets  and  heroes  must  have  regretted  that  any  such  mon- 
sters existed.  Seriously  beside  the  rancor,  the  treachery, 
and  the  dereliction  of  every  generous  sentinu'iit  and  upright 
motive,  which  are  the  rank  production  of  the  blood  mamired 
field  of  civil  discord,  after  the  froth  and  feculence  of  its 
cauldron  have  boiled  over,  still  the  deleterious  dregs  remain. 
Truth  is  the  first  victim  to  fear  and  ])olicy  ;  when  matters 
arrive   at  that  crisis,  every  one  finds   a  separate  interest  ; 


ADY. 

'  1  iH'iK'i'  !  where 

'  the  first  lenders 
I  of  theJii,  in  tlie 
ahitations  :  nay, 
eertain  length, 
their  followers, 
•laee  from  which 
laws,  hy  custoin, 
)Tiie(l  i)aths,  and 
*ault,  or  first  ob- 
Let  any  one  who 
ould  be  the  eon- 
impunity  offered 
isis  of  real  piety, 
hat  sound   sense 
L'serves  integrity 
m  hajtpen. 
ns  of  the   moral 
•ters   that    sweep 
ions  night,  which 
;unshine  of  pros- 
t  ocean  that  the 
rof  nature  are  to 
•ailed  out  by  e.\- 
rhouiih  Hercules 
n   stable,  all   but 
it   any  such  mon- 
»r,  the  treachery, 
ment  and  upright 
le  blood  maiuired 
1  feculence  of  its 
ous  dregs  remain. 
;  when   matters 
eparate   interest  ; 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


347 


mutual  confidence,  which  caimot  outlive  sincerity,  dies  next, 
and  all  the  kindred  virtues  di-op  in  succession.  It  becomes 
a  ntan's  interest  that  his  brothei's  and  his  father  should  join 
tlu'  o{;j»osite  party,  that  some  may  be  applauded  for  steadi- 
ness '  ;  enriched  by  confiscations  ;  to  such  temi)tations  the 
mind,  fermenting  witli  party  hatred,  yields  with  less  re- 
sistance than  couhl  he  ima<i;ined  hv  those  who  have  never 
witnessed  such  scenes  of  horror  darkened  by  duplicity. 
.After  so  deep  a  phmgi'  in  depravity,  how  difficult,  h.)W 
near  to  impossible  is  a  return  to  the  }»atlis  of  rectitude! 
This  is  but  a  singk'  instance  of  the  manner  in  whicli  moral 
feeling  is  undermined  in  both  parties.  But  as  our  nature, 
destined  to  suffer  and  to  mouin,  and  to  ha\  r  the  heart  made 
better  by  ailliction,  finds  adversity  a  less  (hmgerous  trial 
than  prosperity,  especially  where  it  is  great  ami  sutlden,  in 
all  civil  confiicts  the  triumphant  party  may,  with  nioi'al 
truth,  be  said  to  he  the  greatest  sufferers.  Intoxicated  as 
they  oiien  are  with  power  and  affluence,  jturchaseil  with 
the  blood  and  tears  of  their  friends  and  countrynuin,  tiie 
hard  ta^k  remains  to  them  of  chaining  uj>  and  reducing  to 
submission  the  many  headed  monster,  whom  they  have  been 
forced  to  let  loose  and  gorge  with  the  spoils  of  the  van- 
quished. Then,  too,  comes  on  the  difficulty  of  dividing 
j)ower  where  no  one  has  a  right,  and  every  one  a  claim  ;  of 
ruling  those  whom  they  have  taught  to  desjjise  authority  ; 
and  of  reviving  that  sentiment  of  patriotism,  and  that  love 
of  glory,  which  faction  and  self-interest  have  extinguished. 
Wiien  the  white  and  red  roses  were  the  symbols  of  faction 
in  England,  and  when  the  contest  between  Baliol  and  Bruce 
made  wav  for  invasion  and  tvrannvin  Scotland,  the  de- 
struction  of  armies  and  of  cities,  public  executions,  plunder 
and  confiscations,  were  tlu'  least  evils  that  they  occasioned. 
The  aimihilation  of  pul)!i<'  virtue  and  private  confidence  ; 
the  exasperation  of  hereditary  hatred  ;  the  corrupting  the 
milk  of  human  kindness,  and  breaking  asunder  every  sacred 


.'U8 


Mkmoirs  of  an   Amkrican  Lady, 


til 


tic  by  whicli  ni.'in  and  man  arc  licid  t<i<rctlicr  ;  all  these 
(Ircadl'iil  results  of  civil  discord  arc  tlic  means  of  visitiii<^ 
the  sins  of  civil  war  (»n  the  third  and  I'tMirth  f^eneratinn  of 
those  \vh<»  have  Kindled  it.  Vet  the  extinction  of  charity 
and  kindni'ss  in  disscnsi(»ns  like  these,  is  not  to  l»e  com- 
pared to  thai  which  is  the  consc(|U('nce  of  an  entire 
snitver  .v^  v'  .  e  iiccustonied  form  of  {government.  At- 
tachmci  I  t.o  ...  v^onarch  or  line  of  royaltv,  aims  oidv  !it 
a  sin<j;le  o?*)^-!  i,  ,  rid  is  ;it  worst  loyalty  and  fidelity  mis- 
placeil  ;  yet  war  (  ;  Ix'Ljnn  on  such  a  motive,  loosens  the 
l)ands  of  society,  an<l  opens  to  the  unil)itious  and  the  rapacions 
tlie  way  to  power  and  plunder.  Still,  however,  llu'  laws, 
the  customs,  and  the  frame  of  <;ovcrnincnt  stand  where  they 
did.  When  the  contest  is  dcciiU'd,  and  the  succcssfid  com- 
petitor establishe<l,  if  the  monarch  possi'sses  ability  and 
ccmrts  popularity,  he,  or  at  any  rate  his  imnu'diate  successor, 
may  rule  lia])pily,  and  reconcile  those  wlio  wei'c  tlie  enemies, 
nt)t  of  his  j)lace,  but  of  his  person,  The  mijj^lity  image  of 
sovereign  power  may  change  its  "  head  of  gold"  for  one  of 
silver  ;  but  still  it  stands  firm  on  its  basis,  sup])orted  by  all 
those  whom  it  ])rotects.  Hut  when  thrown  from  its  pedes- 
tal by  an  ontiri'  subversion  of  gt)vernment,  the  wreck  is  far 
more  fatal  and  tlie  traces  indelible.  Those  who  on  each 
side  support  the  heirs  claiming  a  disputed  crown,  mean 
equally  to  befaithfel  and  loyal  to  their  rightful  sovereign  ; 
and  are  thus,  though  in  opposition  to  each  other,  actuated 
by  the  same  sentiment.  iJut  wlu'n  the  spirit  of  extermina- 
tion walks  forth  over  i»rostrate  thrones  and  altars,  ages 
cannot  efface  the  traces  of  its  progress.  A  contest  for 
sovereignty  is  a  whirlwind,  that  rages  fiercely  while  it 
continues,  and  deforms  the  face  of  external  nature.  New 
houses,  however,  rejjlace  those  it  has  demolished  ;  trees  grow 
up  in  the  place  of  those  destroyed ;  the  landscai)e  laughs, 
the  birds  sine:,  !^'>d  evervthing  retui-ns  to  its  accustomed 
course.     But  a  total  subversion  of  a  long  established  go- 


II!  i! 


ADY. 

'tlicr  ;  all  these 
L'iins  of  visiting 
h  fjfeiieratiHii  of 
•tioii  of  cliaiity 
not  to  l)e  coin- 
'  of  an  entire 
vernnient.  At- 
/,  aims  only  at 
1(1  ti»lelity    inis- 

ive,  loosens  the 
nd  the  rapaeious 
sever,  tlu;  laws, 
tand  where  they 

sueeessful  eoiu- 
;ses  ability  and 
'diate  sucei'ssor, 
ere  the  enemies, 
iiiLjhty  image  of 
jfold"  for  one  of 
;u]»))orted  by  all 

from  its  pedes- 
tlie  wreck  is  far 
<e  wlu)  on  each 
id  crown,  mean 
itfnl  sovereign  ; 

other,  actuated 
it  of  extermina- 
ind  altars,  ages 
A  contest  for 
iercely  while  it 
1  nature.  New 
hed  ;  trees  grow 
iidscai)e  lauglis, 

its  accustomed 

established  go- 


M  KM  OIKS    01-'    AN    AmKIIICAN    LaDY, 


34!» 


vernnient  is  like  an  earlli(|uake,  that  not  only  overturns  the 
works  of  man,  but  changes  the  wonted  course  and  o|iera(ion 
of  the  very  elements;  makes  a  gulf  in  the  midst  of  a 
fertile  plain,  casts  a  niounlain  into  a  lake,  and  in  line  pro- 
duces such  devastation  as  it,  is  not  in  the  power  of  man  to 
remedy.  Iiidee(l  it  is  too  obvious  that,  even  in  our  own 
c<)uiitry,  that  lire  which  pi'odiiced  the  di'structioii  of  the 
monarchy,  still  glows  among  the  ashes  of  extiiiguishe(l  \':\v- 
tions  ;  but  that  portion  of  the  ci)mniunity  who  carrie(l  with 
iheiii  across  the  Atlantic,  the  repugnance  to  submission 
which  grew  out  of  an  indefinite  love  of  liber!  ...  '"/hi  be 
compared  totlie  Persian  Magi.  I/ike  them,  wit  n  ced  to 
fly  from  tlu'ir  iiatixc  c<»untry,  they  carrie*"  vMh  -.lem  a 
portion  of  the  hallowed  lire,  which  c<)ntinue  .  i».,  .he  object 
(»f  tlu'ir si'cret  worship.  Those  who  look  up<.n  t!  re  oiution, 
of  which  this  spirit  was  the  prime  mo\  .  a^'  lending  to 
advance  the  general  happiness,  no  doub«  c. insider  these 
o|(inions  as  a  rich  inheritance,  productive  of  the  best  elTccts. 
Many  wise  ;iiid  worthy  persons  have  thought  and  still  con- 
tinue to  think  so.  There  is  as  yet  no  room  f(tr  decision,  the 
ex))eriment  not  being  completed.  Their  mode  of  govern- 
ment, anomalous  and  hitherto  inellicient,  has  not  yet  ae- 
(piired  the  tirmness  of  cohesion,  or  the  decisive  tone  of 
authority. 

The  birtli  of  this  great  enii)ire  is  a  jthenomenon  in  the 
history  of  mankind.  There  is  nothing  like  it  in  reality  or 
fable,  but  the  biilh  of  ^liiierva,  who  ])rocee(h'd  full  armed 
and  full  grown  out  of  the  head  of  the  thunderer.  Popula- 
tion, arts,  sciences,  and  laws,  e.:tensioii  of  territory,  and 
establishment  of  power,  have  been  gradual  and  progressive 
in  other  countries,  where  the  current  of  dominion  went  on 
increasing  as  it  Howed,  by  compiests  or  other  actpiisitions, 
whieli  it  swallowed  like  rivulets  in  its  couise  :  but  here  it 
burst  forth  like  a  torrent,  spreailing  itself  at  once  into  an 
expanse,  vast  as  their  own  suiterior  lake,  before  the  eyes  of 


:iri 


I 

I 


350 


Memo  I  us  of  an  American  Ladv. 


Ill 


i 


the  i»iissi\e  melioration  which  witiiesst'd  its  hiith.  Yet  it  is 
AvoiHh'iriil  how  littlr  tiiiciit  or  iiiti'lh'<'tual  i»roL'iniiii'iice  of 
iiiiy  kind  has  apitcaicd  in  this  new-horn  worhl,  which  si'cins 
ah'eady  ohl  in  worhlly  craft,  and  whose  »'hihiren  are  iinleed 
"  wiser  in  their  generation  tiian  the  chihh'cn  of  liufiit."  Self- 
interest,  eai^erly  i;ras|tini^  at  jjecnniary  a<l\anta^es,  seems 
to  he  the  rnling  i»rinci|»h'  of  tliis  great  continent. 

Love  of  country,  that  amiahk'and  nohle  sentiment,  which 
hy  turns  exahs  and  softens  the  human  mind,  nourishes  en- 
thusiasm, and  inspires  alike  the  hero  ami  the  sage,  to  defend 
and  adorn  the  sacred  land  of  their  nativity,  is  a  principle 
which  hardly  exists  there.  An  Amei'ican  loves  his  country, 
or  prefers  it  rather,  heeause  its  rivers  are  wide  and  deep, 
an<l  abound  in  tish  ;  because  he  has  the  ftuvsts  to  retire  to, 
if  the  god  of  gainful  commerce  should  prove  unpropitious 
on  the  shore,  lie  loves  it  because  if  his  negro  is  disrespect- 
ful, or  disobedient,  he  can  sell  him  and  buy  another  ;  while 
if  he  himself  is  disobedient  to  the  laws  of  his  country,  or 
disres|teetful  to  the  magistracy  api)ointed  to  enforce  them, 
that  shadow  of  authority,  without  power  to  do  good,  or 
prevent  evil,  must  possess  its  soul  in  patience. 

We  love  our  country  because  we  honor  our  ancestors  ; 
because  it  is  endeared  to  us  not  only  by  early  liabit,  but  by 
attachments  to  the  spots  hallowed  by  their  l)iety,  their  he- 
roism, their  genius,  or  their  public  spirit.  We  honor  it  as 
the  scene  of  noble  deeds,  the  nurse  of  sages,  bards,  and 
heroes.  The  very  asp(  ct  and  features  of  this  blest  asylum 
of  I'berty,  science,  and  religion,  warm  our  hearts,  and  ani- 
mate our  imaginations.  Enthusiasm  kindles  at  the  thoughts 
of  what  we  have  l)een,  and  what  we  are.  It  is  the  last 
retreat,  the  citadel,  in  which  all  that  is  worth  living  for  is 
concentrated.  Among  the  other  ties  Avhich  were  broken, 
by  the  detachment  of  America  from  us,  that  line  ligament, 
which  binds  us  to  the  tombs  of  our  ancestors  (and  seems 
to  convey  to  us  the  spirit  and  the  affections  we  derive  from 


ADY. 


Memoirs  of  an  Amfrican  Lady. 


Sf)! 


'ii-th.  Yet  it  is 
juX'L'iniiH'nce  of 
1(1,  wliifh  sreiiis 
(IrcM  nrc  IikUhmI 
)r  light."  Si'lf- 
■iiiitiim.'.s,  scorns 
nent. 

I'litiiiu-nt,  wliit'h 
(I,  noiirislifs  eii- 
.sago,  to  (k't'end 
',  is  a  j)riiK'iplo 
vt's  his  country, 
wide  and  deep, 
•sts  to  retire  to, 
ve  unpropitious 
ro  is  disrespect- 
another  ;  while 
his  country,  or 
o  enforce  them, 
to  do  good,  or 
e. 

our  ancestors  ; 
y  liabit,  but  by 
piety,  their  he- 
VV^e  honor  it  as 
^es,  bards,  and 
is  blest  asylum 
carts,  and  ani- 
at  the  thouglits 
It  is  the  hist 
th  living  for  is 
were  broken, 
fine  ligament, 
jrs  (and  seems 
ive  derive  from 


them),  was  dissolved  :  with  it  perished  all  generous  eniida- 
tion.     Fame, 

"  Tlint  H|>iir  which  tlip  clear  niiiul  doth  rnisi) 
To  live  laborious  nitrhtH  and  painful  days," 

has  no  votaries  among  the  students  of  Poor  IJichartl's 
almanac,  the  great  Plmros  of  the  states.  The  land  of  theii- 
ancestors,  party  hostility  has  taught  the  ni  to  regard  with 
scorn  and  hatrecl.  That  in  wliich  they  live  calls  up  n<> 
images  of  past  glory  or  excellence.  Neitlu'r  hopeful  nor 
desirous  of  that  after-existence,  which  has  been  most  covet- 
ed by  those  who  do  things  worth  recording,  they  not  only 
live,  but  thrive  ;  anil  that  is  (piite  enough.  A  man  no 
longer  says  of  himself  with  exultation,  "  I  belong  to  the 
"land  where  Milton  sung  the  song  of  sei-aphims,  and  N'ew- 
"ton  traced  the  paths  of  light  ;  where  Alfn-d  established 
"  his  throne  in  wisdom,  and  where  the  palms  and  laurels  of 
"renown  shade  thetond>sof  the  mighty  an<l  the  excellent." 
Thus  dissevered  from  recollections  so  dear,  and  so  ennobling, 
what  ties  are  substitute*!  in  their  places?  Can  he  regard 
with  tender  and  reverential  feelings,  a  land  that  has  not 
only  been  deprived  of  its  best  ornaments,  but  become  .a 
receptacle  of  the  outcasts  of  society  from  every  nation  in 
Europe?  Is  there  a  person  whose  dubious  or  turbulent 
character  has  made  him  unwelcome  or  suspected  in  society, 
lie  goes  to  America,  where  he  knows  no  one,  and  is  of  no 
one  known  ;  and  where  he  can  with  safety  assume  any  cha- 
racter. All  that  tremble  with  the  consci(jusness  of  unde- 
tected ci-imes,  or  smart  from  the  conseipience  of  unchecked 
follies  ;  fraudulent  bankrupts,  unsuccessful  adventurers, 
restless  projectors,  or  seditious  agitators,  this  great  Liinbus 
Patrum  has  room  for  them  all  ;  and  to  it  they  fly  in  the  day  of 
their  calamity.  With  such  a  heterogeneous  mixture  a  trans- 
jdantcd  Hriton  of  the  original  stock,  a  true  (.Id  American, 
may  live  in  charity,  but  can  never  assimilate.  Who  can, 
with  the  cordiality  due  to  that    sacred  appellation,  "  my 


352 


XfllMOIltS    OF    AN    AmKRICAN    LaDV. 


count rv,"  iii»|»ly  it  to  th.it  larnl  of  Ilivitcs  uik)  (lirgaMliitos, 
whcrt'  OIK'  cannot  travel  ten  mili's,  in  a  stri'tfli,  without 
nicftinj^  tli'taclitncnts  of  (lilTrrcMt  nations,  torn  from  their 
native  soil  and  first  alTeetions,  and  living  aliens  in  a  strange 
lainl,  where  no  one  seems  to  form  [>art  of  an  attached,  con- 
nected wlnde. 

To  those  eidarged  minds,  who  have  got  far  heyond  the 
petty  consideration  of  country  and  kindred,  to  end>i-ace  the 
wholehuman  race,  a  land,  whose  poitulation  is  like  Joseph's 
coat,  of  many  colors,  must  ln'  a  pcculiaily  suitahle  abode. 
For  in  the  endless  variety  of  the  piitchwork,  of  which 
Hociety  is  composed,  a  liberal  i)hilosophic  mind  might  nu-i-t 
with  the  specimens  of  all  those  tongues  and  nati«)ns  which 
lie  comprehenils  in  the  widi'  circle  of  his  enlarged  philan- 
throi)y. 


CHAPTER  LXIV. 

FunniicR  Ivkflkctioxs  —  Gexeual  Hamiltox. 

J.  HAT  some  of  the  leaders  of  the  hostile  party  in  America 
acted  upon  liberal  an<l  patriotic  views  can  not  be  doubted. 
There  were  many,  indeed,  of  whom  the  public  good  was 
tlie  leading  principle  ;  and  to  these  the  cause  was  a  iu)ble 
one  :  yet  even  these  little  foresaw  the  ivsult.  Had  they 
known  what  a  cold,  seltisli  character,  wliat  a  dereliction  of 
religious  jtrinciple,  what  furious  factions,  and  wild  unsettled 
notions  of  government,  were  to  be  tlie  conseipiences  of  this 
utter  alienation  from  the  ))arent  state,  tliey  would  have 
shrunk  back  from  tlie  prospect.  '^I'hose  fine  minds  who, 
nurtured  in  the  love  of  science  and  of  elegance,  looked  back 
to  the  land  of  their  forefatlu'i's  for  models  of  excellence, 
and  drank  inspiration  from  the  production  of  tlie  British 
nmse,  could  not  but  feel  this  rapture  as  "  a  wrench  from  all 


VDY. 

lul  (lii-gaMbiti'S, 
treU'h,  witl»«)ut 
oni  fn»m  their 
I'usin  :i  straiigo 
J  iittai-liiMl,  I'ou- 

f:ir  lu'voiul  the 

^  to  cmWnu'c  tl>*' 

is  iilct'  .loscjili's 

suitaliK'  uIxmU'. 

kvork,    of    whii-li 

liiul   IMil,'llt   HU'C't 

1(1  nations  wliic-h 
L'lilargcMl  piiilan- 


Mkmoihs  ok  an  Amkuican  Lai>y. 


353 


II.VMII.TOX. 

Larty  in  Anierica 

not  be  doubted. 

l>id)lic  good  was 

\ise  was  a  noble 

[suit.     Had  they 

a  dereru-tion  of 
Ld  wild  unsettled 
se(iuences  of  this 
hey  would  have 
Itine  minds  who, 
mee,  looked  back 
i.ls  of  excellence, 
[,n  of  the  British 

wrench  from  all 


we  love,  from  all  wo  ar<'."  They,  too,  might  wish,  when 
time  had  ripeneil  their  growing  empire,  to  assert  that  :n<h'- 
pendenee  which,  when  mature  in  strength  and  knowletlg*-, 
We  claim  even  of  the  parents  we  love  and  honor.  Ihit  to 
snati^h  it  with  a  rudt'  .and  bloody  grasp,  ontragi'd  the  fei'l- 
ings  of  those  gentler  children  of  the  common  parent.  Mild- 
ness of  manners,  refinement  (tf  mind,  and  all  the  softer 
virtues  that  si»ring  up  in  the  cultivated  paths  of  sctcial  life, 
mirtured  by  genenuis  affections,  were  undonbtcdiy  to  bo 
found  on  the  side  of  the  unhappy  loyalists  ;  whatever 
sujx'riority  in  vigor  and  intre|»idify  might  be  (^lainu'd  1  v 
their  |)ersecutors.  C-ertainly,  however  necessary  the  ruling 
powers  might  Hnd  it  to  carry  their  system  of  exile  into  exe- 
cution, it  has  occasioned  to  the  country  an  irreparable  [tri- 
vation. 

When  the  Kdict  of  Nant/  j^ave  the  scatterinc:  blow  to  the 
])rotestants  of  Fnince,  they  carried  with  them  their  .arts, 
their  frug.al  regul.ar  li.abits,  and  that  port.able  mine  of  wealth 
whi(di  is  the  portion  of  patient  industry.  The  ch.ism  pro- 
duced in  France  by  the  departure;  of  so  imu'h  humble  virtiu', 
and  so  many  useful  .arts,  has  Tjover  been  filled. 


Wh.at  the  loss  of  the   IIui:oni»ts  was  to  comnu-rc; 


in( 


1 


m.anufactures  in  Franco,  that  of  the  loyalists  was  to  religion, 
liter.aturo,  and  ahicniii/,  in  Anu'rica.  The  silken  threads 
were  drawn  out  of  the  mixed  web  of  society,  which  has  over 
since  boon  compar.itively  coarst;  and  homely.  The  dawning 
light  of  elegant  seienco  was  <]Uonched  in  universal  dullness. 
No  ray  has  broke  through  the  general  gloom  except  the 
phi  >phoric  lightnings  of  her  cold  blooded  ])hilosophor,  the 
deist j<'al  Franklin,  the  legitimate  father  of  the  American 
"  aire  of  calculation. "     So  well  have  "  the  children  of  his 


us. 


souV  profited  by  the  frugal  lessons  of  this  apostle  of  Pint 
that  wo  see  a  new  empire  blest  in  its  infancy  with  ali  llie 
saving  virtues  which  are  the  usual  portion  of  cautious  and 
feeble  ago  :  and  we  behold  it  with  the  same  complacent 


i 


II; 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 

surprise   which  fills   our   minds  at  the  sight  of  a  young 
miser. 

P\)rgive  me,  shade  of  tlie  aecomplislKMl  Hamilton,'  while 
all  that  is  lovelj-  in  virtue,  all  that  is  honorahle  in  valor, 
and  all  that  is  admirable  in  talent,  conspire  to  lament  the 
early  setting  of  that  western  star  ;  aiul  to  decic  the 
tomb  of  worth  and  genius  with  wreaths  of  immortal 
bloom  : 

"  Thoi!  Columbia  long  siiall  weep; 
Ne'er  a^aiu  thy  kindness  see  ;" 

fain  would  I  add, 

"  Long  h(^r  strains  in  sorrows  steep, 
Strains  of  inunortality." —  Qray. 

but  alas  ! 

"  They  have  no  poet,  and  they  die." —  Pope. 

His  character  was  !i  l)right  exception  ;  yet,  after  all,  an 
exception  that  only  confirms  the  rule.  What  must  be  thi^ 
state  of  that  country  where  worth,  talent,  and  the  disin- 
terested exercise  of  every  faculty  of  a  vigorous  and  ex- 
alted mind,  were  in  vain  devotecl  to  the  public  good  ? 
Where,  indeed,  they  only  marked  out  their  possessor  for  a 
victim  to  the  shrine  of  faction?  Alas!  that  a  compliance 
with  the  laws  of  false  honor  (the  only  blemisli  of  a  stain- 
less life),  should  be  so  dearly  expiated  !  Yt-t  the  deep 
sense  expressed  by  all  ])arties  of  this  general  loss,  seems  to 
promise  a  happier  day  at  some  future  pericxl,  when  this 
chaos  of  jarring  elements  shall  be  reducetl  l)y  sr)me  pervad- 
ing and  governing  mind  into  a  settled  form. 

But  nmch  nuist  be  done,  and  suffered,  before  this  change 
can  take  place.  There  never  c;in  be  nnu-h  improvement  till 
there  is  union  ami  subordination  ;  till  those  strong  local 
attachments  are  formed,  which  are  the  basis  of  patriotism, 

'Ueneral  Ilanulton,  killed  in  a  duel,  into  wiiich  he  was  forced  by 
Aaron  Burr,  vice  presidcsnt  of  congress,  at  New  York,  in  1804.  —  Mrs. 
Grant. 


jADY. 

^lit  of  jv  young 

lliuuilton,'  whWii 
M onible  in  valor, 
re  to  hunt'iit  the 
1(1  to  deck  tlie 
Lhs   of   inunortal 

I'; 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


355 


Pope. 

yet,  after  all,  an 
Vhat  must  hv  the 
lit,  aiul  thc!  (lisin- 
litxorous  aiul   ex- 
he  public  good  ? 
ir  possessor  for  a 
that  a  eomjdianee 
ileniish  of  a  stain- 
!     Yet  the   deej) 
ral  loss,  seeujs  to 
|>erio<l,  wlu'U  this 
1  hy  sonu'  perva«l- 
ni. 

)efore  this  change 
1  improvement  till 
h(»se  strong  local 
asis  of  i)atriotism, 

ch  ho  WftH  forced  by 
York,  in  ISM.  —  Mrs. 


' 


and  the  bonds  of  social  attachment.  But,  while  such  a  wide 
field  is  open  to  the  spirit  of  a<l venture  ;  and,  while  the 
facility  of  removal  encourages  that  restU-ss  and  ungovern- 
able sjtirit, there  is  littU'  lu)j»e  of  any  material  change.  There 
is  in  America  a  douhle  princi|»U'  of  fermentation,  which 
continui'S  to  impede  the  growth  of  thi'  arts  and  seiences, 
and  of  th(»se  gi-ntier  virtues  of  social  life,  whiih  were 
blasted  by  the  hreath  of  |>opular  fury.  On  tlu'  sea-side 
there  is  a  perpetual  importation  of  lawless  ami  restless  per- 
sons, who  have  no  other  path  to  the  notoriety  they  covet, 
but  tliat  which  (cads  through  party  violenci'  ;  and  of  want 
of  that  local  attachnu'nt,  I  have  been  speaking  of,  there  can 
be  no  stronger  proof,  than  the  passion  for  emigration  so 
friMpu'iit  in  America. 

Among  those  who  are  neitlu-r  beloved  in  the  vicinity  of 
their  jilace  of  abodt',  nor  kept  stationary  hy  any  gainful 
l>ursuit,  it  is  in(!redihle  how  light  a  matter  will  allord  a 
pretext  for  removal  ! 

Here  is  om;  great  motive,  for  good  conduct  and  decor- 
ous manni-rs,  ohiiterated.  The  good  o|»inion  of  his  neigh- 
bors is  (»f  little  eonseciuence  to  him,  who  can  scarce  be  said 
to  have  any.  If  a  man  keeps  fre«'  of  those  crimi-s  which  a 
regard  to  the  public  safety  compels  the  magistrate  to  punish, 
he  finds  shelter  in  every  forest  from  the  scorn  and  dislike 
incurred  by  petty  trespasses  on  society.  There,  all  who 
are  unwilling  to  submit  to  the  restraints  of  law  and  religion, 
may  live  unchallenged,  at  a  distance  from  the  publie  exer- 
cise of  either.  There  all  whom  want  has  ma<le  desperate, 
whether  it  be  the  want  of  abilities,  of  character,  or  the 
means  to  live,  are  sure  to  take  shelter.  This  habit  of  re- 
moving furnishes,  however,  a  palliation  for  some  evils,  for 
the  fa«'ility  with  whi<h  they  change  residence  becomes  the 
means  of  ridding  the  comnuinily  of  mendiers  too  turbnlent 
or  too  indolent  to  be  ((uiet  or  useful.  It  is  a  kind  of  volun- 
tary exile,  where  those  whom  government  want  power  and 


r 


35G 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


t'tticiency  to  baiiisli,  voiy  obliginj^ly  banish  thomselves  ; 
tims  provcMitiiig  the  oxphtsioiis  whi  "h  iiiiiflit  he;  occasioned 
l)y  their  coiitinniiiu;  iniiigK'<l  in  the  general  mass. 

It  is  owing  to  ti)i.s  salutary  discharge  of  peccant  liuinors 
that  matters  go  on  so  <|iiietly  as  they  (ht,  under  a  govern- 
ment which  is  neither  feared  nor  h)ved,  l>y  the  connnunity 
it  rules.     These  removals  are  incredibly  i're(|uent  ;  for  the 
same  family,  Hying  as  it  weri'  before  the  face  of  legal  au- 
thority and  civilization,  are  often  known  to  remove  farther 
and  farther  back  into  the  woods,  every  flftii  or  sixth  year, 
ji«  the  j)(»|>(dation  begins  to  draw  nearer.     I>y  this  secession 
from  society,  a  partial  reformation  is  in  some  cases  ett'ected. 
A  person  incajt'ible  of  regular  industry  and  compliance  with 
its  established  customs  will  certaiidy  do  least  hai'm,  when 
forced  t<»  de|>en(l  on   his  personal  exertions.     Wlien  a  man 
places  liimself  in  the  situation  of  Kobinsoii  Crusoe,  with  the 
difference  of  a  wife  ant!   children   for  tliat  solitary  hero's 
cats  and  parrots,  he  must  of  necessity  make  exertions  like 
liis,  or  perisli.     lie  becomes  not  a  regular  husbandman,  but 
a  hunter,  with  whom  agriculture  is  but  a  secondary  consi- 
deration,    liis   Indian  i-orn  an<l  jtotatoes,  which  i-onstitute 
the  main  part  of  his  crop,  are,  in  due  time,  hoed  by  his  wife 
and  daughti'rs  ;  while  the  axe  and  the  gun  are  the  only  im- 
plements he  willingly  handles. 

Fraud  and  avarice  are  the  vices  of  society,  and  do  not 
tlirive  in  the  shade  of  the  forests.  The  hunter,  like  the 
sailor,  has  little  th(»ughl  of  coveting  or  amassing.  He  does 
not  foi'g^S  "oi'  cheat,  nor  sti'al,  as  sncli  an  unprincijtled  person 
must  have  done  in  the  world,  where,  instead  of  wild  beasts, 
he  must  have  preyed  upon  his  fi'llows,  and  he  (b)es  not  drink 
much,  l>ecause  litjuor  is  not  attainable.  Hut  ho  liecomes 
coarse,  savage,  and  totally  negligent  of  all  flic  forms  and 
decencies  of  life.  He  grows  wild  and  unsocial.  To  him  iv 
neighbor  is  an  encroacher.  He  has  learnt  to  do  without 
one  ;  and  he  knows  not  how  to  yield  to  him  in  any  point  of 


;li  tlu'inselves  ; 
L  1)0  oci'Jixioiiod 
in.'iss. 

|K'cc!Uit  liuinors 
iimlfr  !i  goviTii- 
tlie  connimnity 
'(pu'iit  ;  I'oi'  tlu' 
uco  of  U'«:;ill  :iu- 
)  ri'iiiovr  riirtlu-r 
M  or  sixth  yi'iii", 
,iy  tliis  secession 
i\e  (Mscs  I'rt'ectiMl. 
(•()mi>li;iiMH'  with 
k'iist  li:irin,  wlicn 
s.     Wht'ii  :i  man 
Crusoe,  with  the 
,t  solitiiry  hero's 
ke  exertions  like 
linshiindnian,  but 
secondary  consi- 
wliich  constitute 
hoed  by  his  wife 
are  the  only  u'-i- 

icty,  and  do  not 
inniter,  like   the 
assing.     lie  does 
i|>rincii>led  person 
ad  of  wild  beasts, 
he  does  n(»t  drink 
lint   lie  becomes 
all  the  forms  and 
social.     To  him  a 
•nt  to  do  without 
ini  in  any  point  of 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


357 


mutual  aceommodati(»n.  He  cares  neither  to  ji;ive  or  take 
assistaiure,  and  limls  all  the  society  he  wants  in  his  own 
family.  Selfish,  from  the  over-indulged  love  of  ease  and 
liberty,  he  sees  in  a  new  comer  mcfrely  an  abridgement  of 
his  raiii^e,  and  an  interloper  in  that  sport  on  which  he  woiiM 
nuu'h  rather  depend  for  subsistence  than  on  llu'  habits  of 
rejrulai-  industry.  What  can  more  Halter  an  imaL,dnation 
warm  with  native  bi'iievolence,  aii<l  animatcil  by  romantic 
enthusiasm,  than  the  imauje  of  insulated  self-dipeiidaiit 
families,  growin.i;  up  in  (hose  prime\  ;il  retreats,  remote  from 
tli<-  corruptions  of  the  world,  and  dwelliiij^  amidst  the  |»rodi- 
<^ality  of  n:Uure.  NotliiiiLj  iiowexci-  can  be  more  anti-Arca- 
dian. There  no  crook  is  seen,  no  pipe  is  liear<l,  no  land) 
bleats,  for  the  best  possible  reason,  bi'cause  there  :ire  no 
sheep.  No  pastoral  sti'ains  awake  the  sleepinj^  echoes, 
doomed  to  sleep  on  till  the  bull-froir,  the  wolf,  and  the 
(piackawary'  bcij^in  their  nij^htly  com-ert.  Seriously,  it  is 
not  a  place  that  can,  in  any  instance,  constitute  hapjiiness. 
When  listless  indolence  oi'  lawless  turbulence  tly  (o  shades 
the  nu)st  trancpdl,  or  sce.ii-s  the  nu>st  beautiful,  they  degrade 
nature  instead  of  imjiro\  ing  or  enjoying  her  charms.  Active 
diligence,  a  Keiise  of  our  duty  to  the  source  of  all  good,  and 
kindly  affections  towards  our  fellow-creatures,  with  a  degree 
of  self-command  and  mental  improvement,  ciin  alone  |»roduce 
the  gentle  manners  that  ensure  rural  peace,  or  enable  us, 
with  intelligence  an<l  gratitude,  to  "  rejoice  in  nature's  joys. 


ClIAlTKn  lAV. 

SKKIdl   OK  TIIK  SKni.K.MKNT  OF  I'kNNSVI.VA  N  I.\. 

Jr  ,\IX  would  I  turn  from  this  gloomy  and  uncertain  pros- 
pect, so  disappointing  to  i»hilant'iropy,  and  so  subversive  (»f 

'QuftckiiwRry  Ih  tho  Indian  nanir  of  a  l)ir(l,  which  flicB  at)nut  in  tho 
night,  nmitinfj  a  noiso  similar  to  tho  sound  of  its  nunie. —  Mrs.  Grant. 


■■■■I 


358 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


all  the  flattering  liopes  and  sanguine  predictions  of  the  poets 
and  phih)soi)lier«,  who  were  wont  to  look  forward  to  a  new 
Athintis, 

"  Famed  for  arts  and  laws  derived  from  Jove." 

in  this  western  woi"M.  J>ut  I  cannot  (juit  tlie  fond  retVo- 
Kpect  of  wliat  once  was  in  one  favored  spot,  witliout  indulging 
a  distant  hope  of  what  may  emerge  from  this  dark,  dis- 
ordered state. 

The  melancholy  (.'owley,  the  ingenius  bishop  of  Cloyne, 
and  many  others,  alike  eminent  for  virtue  and  for  genius, 
looked  forward  to  this  region  of  liberty  as  a  soil,  where 
peact^,  science,  and  religion  could  have  room  lo  take  rix'.t 
and  flourish  unmolested.  In  those  primeval  solitudes,  en- 
riched by  the  choicest  bounlies  of  nature,  they  might  (as 
these  benevolent  s}>eculators  thought)  extend  their  slh^ltor 
to  tribes  no  longer  savage,  rcji-icing  in  the  light  of  evan:>j  ."' 
truth,  and  exalting  science.  JJttle  did  ther^e  amiaLJe  ]'i  >• 
jectors  know  how  nuuth  is  to  be  done  before  ll'o  hur  iai. 
mind,  debased  l)y  liabitual  vice,  and  cramped  by  .'ir^  ficial 
manners  in  the  old  world,  can  wash  out  its  e-tains  and  r ;  lume 
its  simplicity  in  a  new  ;  nor  did  they  know  rVrouj„ii  ]>ow 
many  gradual  stages  of  culture  the  untntoreu  inteihiCi  of 
savage  tribes  must  pat-  before  they  beconje  capable  ul  com- 
prehending those  truths  Viliuh  ■  >  us  habit  has  rendered 
obvious,  or  which  r  any  rate  wi-  h;  etaPed  of  sofjuniliarly, 
that  we  think  we  comprehend  tliem.  These  })rojectors  o? 
felicity  were  not  so  ignorant  of  human  nature,  as  to  exp(?ct 
change  of  j)laee  could  produce  an  instantaneous  ciiange  of 
character  ;  but  they  hoj)ed  to  realize  an  irto))ia,  where 
justice  should  be  ailministered  on  the  j)urest  j)riuciples  ;  from 
which  venality  shoidd  be  bjinished,  and  where  mankind 
should,  through  the  paths  of  truth  and  ui)rightnes8,  arrive 
at  the  highest  attainable  hajtpiness  in  a  state  not  meant  for 
perfection.  They  "  talked  the  .-(yie  of  gods,"  making  very 
bttle  account  of  "  chance  and  sufferance."     'J'heir  specula- 


^■«. 


DY. 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady, 


351) 


,ns  of  the  poets 
•ward  to  a  new 

[ove." 

:he  foiul  rt'tvo- 

tlioutindulgiiig 

,  this  dark,  dis- 

aiop  of  Cloyne, 
and  for  genius, 
as  a  soil,  where 
am  to  take  r<»«  t 
al  solitudes,  en- 
^  they  might   (as 
L'lid  their  sh^'lter 
ightof  evan:f  ■" 
er>o  amitil'Je  pi;.- 
efove  ll'c  hui  iau 
iped  by  in^  ficial 
-tains  and  r  -  nime 
ov  tVrou-.i*   i'OW 
toreu   nitelleci,  of 
e  capable  ut  com- 
i>it  has  rendered 
d  of  so  fiuniliarly, 
ese  projectors  oF 
tare,  as  to  expect 
aneous  change  of 
11   irtopia,  where 
principles  ;  troni 
I   where  mankind 
ipiightness,  arrive 
ate  not  meant  for 
„1h,"  making  very 
Tlicir  specula- 


tions of  the  result  remind  me  of  what  is  recorded  in  some 
ancient  writer,  of  a  project  for  building  a  magnificent  tem- 
ple to  Diana  in  some  one  of  the  (irecian  states.  A  reward 
was  oifere'i  to  him  who  should  erect,  at  the  public-  cost, 
wit';  most  taste  and  ingenuity,  a  structure  which  sliould 
do  honor  both  to  the  goddess  and  her  worshijiers.  Several 
candidates  appeared.  The  first  that  spoke  was  a  self-satisfied 
young  man,  who,  in  a  long  florid  harangue,  described  the 
pillars,  the  porticoes,  and  the  proportions  of  this  intended 
building,  seeming  all  the  while  more  intent  on  the  display 
of  his  elocution,  than  on  the  subject  of  his  discourse.  When 
lie  had  finished,  a  plain,  elderly  man  came  from  behind  him, 
and  leaning  forwards,  said  in  a  deep  hoUov  v»)ice,  "^VU 
that  he  has  said  I  will  do," 

William  Pemi  was  the  man,  born  to  give  "  a  local  habi- 
tation and  a  name,"  to  all  that  had  hitherto  only  floated  in 
the  day  dreams  of  poets  and  j)hilosophers. 

To  (jualify  him  for  the  legislator  of  a  new  born  sect,  with 
all  the  innocence  ami  all  the  hel])lessness  of  inf;iiicy,  many 
circumstances  c(»ncurred,  that  could  scarce  ever  besuj>posed 
to  ha)»pen  at  once  to  the  same  ]>erson  ;  born  to  fortune  and 
distinction,  with  a  mi?id  })owerful  and  cultivated,  he  knew, 
experimentally,  all  the  advantages  to  be  derived  from  wealth 
or  knowledge,  and  could  not  be  said  ignorantly  to  despise 
them.  He  had,  in  his  early  days,  walked  far  enough  into 
the  paths  of  folly  and  dissipation,  to  know  human  liuracter 
in  all  its  varieties,  ami  to  say  exi)erimeiitally  —  .1 '  ^  vanity. 
With  a  vigorous  mind,  an  ardent  imagination.  i  a  heart 
glowing  with  the  warmest  benevolence,  he  aj»p<;irs  to  have 
been  driven,  by  a  rei)ulsive  abhorrence  of  t  .  abuse  of 
knowledge,  of  pleasure,  and  jtrecininence,  \<  'lich  he  had 
witnessed,  into  the  op))osite  extreme  ;  into  ;  m  .-t,  the  very 
first  principles  of  which,  clip  the  wings  of  fancy,  extiiiiniish 
ambition,  and  bring  every  struggle  for  superiority,  the  re- 
sult of  uncommon  powers  of  mind,  down  to  the  dead  level 


-a* 

SB 


iM\0 


MllMolKS    (H"    AN     AmKIUCAN    ImI>Y. 


of  iHiiH'  ('<|ti;ilil y  ;  u  lacl,  tli:i(  rctniiHls  one  of  tiir  cxcliisiMii 
of  |)0(>ts  from  IMato's  fancied  rcpiihlir,  hy  sli-i|)|)in^  oiT  all 
the  iiiaiiy  <->lort'<|  <rarl)s  willi  whicli  Iciiniiii^  aixl  iiiiauiiiatioii 
havi'  iiivcslt'tl  the  forms  of  iiU'al  cxccIU'Imt,  iiml  rctliiciiij; 
llu'in  to  a  fi'W  sim|ili'  I'calit'u's,  arrayed  as  solx'ily  as  tlicir 
votaries. 

This  sect,   wliieli    lMiii}j;s   mankind   tt»  a   r«'senil»lanee   of 
Thomson's  I.aplanch'rs, 

"  Who  little  pIcuHnre  know,  nnd  feel  no  |»iiin," 

mitxlit  l»e  snpposed  tlielasl  to  ea|»tivat»',  nay,  to  al>sorl>, 
siK  h  a    mind    as  I    have  Iteen    desi-rihinj^.  -t.   so    it  was  : 

e\en  in  the  midst  of  all  this  eohl  humility,  dominion  was  to 
he  fonnd.  'I'ha!  rule,  whieh  of  all  others,  is  nn»st  j^ratifyinjf 
to  a  mind  conseioiis  of  its  own  power,  and  direetiiiL^  it  to 
the  |>tir|»oses  «»f  henevolenee,  the  voluntary  sidtjeelioii  of 
mind,  the  homa<;e  whieh  a  seet  pays  to  its  leailei',  is  justly 
;»ci'oiinted  the  most  j^ralifyinj^  species  of  power;  and  to 
this  Inrkin^C  and»ilion  everything;  '^^  rendered  subservient.  Iiy 
tlu>se,  who  havt'  once  kimwn  this  native  and  iidiereiit  sn- 
lUM'lorily.  This  man,  who  l,,,d  wasted  his  inheritance, 
alienated  his  r'-Iations,  and  esti'anj;ed  his  friends,  who  had 
forsaken  the  relis^ion  of  his  aneest(M"s,  ami  in  a  ^reat  mea- 
sun'  tin-  customs  .<t"  his  country,  whom  some  charLr«'d  with 
folly,  and  I'tliei^  with  madness,  was,  nevertheless,  destined 
toplan\\:lh  i'onsumn\ate  svisdom,  and  execute  with  iiide- 
faliijalde  activity  and  immi)\aKK'  lirumess,  a  scheme  of 
government,  such  as  has  lieen  tn;-  wi^:.,  at  least,  of  every  en- 
lari^ed  and  l>i'ncvolent  mind  (from  l'lati>,  downwards), 
'vhicli  has  nnlulijed  speculations  of  the  kind.  The  j^lory  of 
realizing;,  in  some  det^ree,  all  these  fair  visions,  was,  how- 
ever, resi'rved  for  William  I*enn  alone. 

Imagination  delights  to  dwell  on  the  trancpiil  abodes  of 
plenty,  conti-nt,  and  eipianimity,  that  so  «piickly  ''rose  like 
an  exhalation,"  in  the  domains  of  this  pacitie  legislator. 
That  he   should  expt'ct    to   pn»ti'ct  the  (piiet    abodes  of   his 


M)Y. 

,r  ihc  exclusion 
<l  ri|H>in}4  oH  ull 
mill  iniu.!4in!i<i«»n 
.,  iiixl  rc.hicing 
solu'ily  :is  tlu'ir 

n'Si'inl)l:iiif<'  <»f 

» jmin." 

Miiy,   to  Jil>Horl>, 

.(,  so    it  w:iH  : 

(loiniiiioii  \v:is  to 

oiiosl.  f^nitilyiiiK 
(1  (linM'lin.!^   it  t«» 
ii-y    siiltjrctioii  of 
I  It'll. ItT,  is  justly 
r  j.i.wcr  ;  :»u<l  to 
>t|  subst'ivirnt  l»y 
iiul   illlMMfllt   s\i- 
his    inherit iincr, 
lii'iuls,  who  hiitl 
in   ii  j^n-iit   nu'ii- 
nv  clnirm-tl  with 
ihi'lcss,  destine*! 
eentr  with   in<U'- 
ss,   ;i   sehcine    of 
east,  of  ev«'ry  <'U- 
t.»,    (lownwartls), 
,.l.      Thr  ^'h.ry  of 
isions,   wns,  how- 

r:in<iuil  :i1»o<l«'S  of 
|,,iekly  •'  rose  liki- 
|.:uili«'  le|i;isl!itor. 
liet    ahodt's  of   his 


Mkmoius  of  an   /' 


f.ADY. 


3(;i 


peaceful  and  indusliidns  f<til<iweis,  merely  with  a  fence  of 
olive  (as  <ine  niuy  call  his  ^^eul le  institutions),  is  wonderful  ; 
and  the  more  so,  when  we  cunsiiler  him  to  have  lived  in  tlu! 
world,  and  known  to'i  well,  hy  his  <tsvn  e\|ierience,  of  what 
disciir<lant  elements  it  is  c(»m|»<ised.  A  mind  so  powerftd 
and  cum|)i'ehensive  as  his,  conld  nut  hnt  know,  that  the 
Wi'allh  which  <|uiet  and  Idameless  indnstry  inseiisihiy  accu- 
mulates,  jimves  nn-rely  a  lure  to  attract  the  armed  sjHiiler 
to  th«'  defenceless  dwellings  of  those,  who  do  not  think  it  a 
dutv  to  |»rotecl   themselves. 

"  Dill  wlirii  divine  niiiliitiiiii  hwcIIM  iiis  iiiiinl, 
Aiiiliitiim  truly  j^reiit,  of  virtiie'H  ilcf<lH," 

he  cnnid  no  otherwise  execute  his  plan  of  ntility,  than  hy 
the  aujency  of  a  people  who  were  honnd  together  l»y  a 
principle,  at  ;>nee  adhesive  and  exclusive,  and  who  were  too 
calm  and  self-snl«lned,  too  henij^nant  and  just  to  create 
«  nemies  to  t  hem  selves  anionic  t  heir  neiLjhhors.  There  could 
he  no  motive  hut  the  thiist  of  I'apine,  for  disi  urhinLj  a  com- 
munity so  inolTensive  ;  ai'd  the  foundci,  no  <louht,  flattered 
himself  that  the  parent  country  would  not  fall  to  extend  to 
them  that  |irotection,  which  their  useful  lives  nm\  helpless 
state  hoth  needed  and  deserscd. 

Never,  surelv,  W"re  institutions  hetter  calculatetl  for 
nursinij  the  ird'aiwy  of  a  syhan  cohmy,  from  which  tlie 
noisy  pleasures,  and  more  luistlini;  varieties  of  life,  were 
necessarily  excluded.  The  serene  and  dispiissionatc  state, 
to  which  it  seems  the  chief  aim  of  this  sect  to  bring  th*! 
human  mind,  is  precisely  what  is  re<|uisite  to  reconcile  it 
to  the  privatit>iis  that  must  hi  encountered,  durinj^  the 
early  staijes  of  the  progression  of  society,  which,  necessarily 
excluded  fnun  the  pleasures  of  retineuient,  should  be  guarded 
fnun  its  jtains. 

Where  nations,  in  the  course  of  time  hecome  ciyili/.eil, 
the  process  is  so  gradual  from  one  race  to  another,  that  no 
yiolent  elTtuI  is  re.piired  to  break  through  st!ttled  habits, 
and  ac<|uire  new  tastes  and  inclinations,  tilted  to  what  might 

46 


r 


302 


Mkmoius  of  an  American  Lady. 


bi'  iilinost  styl('<l  u  new  mode  of  cxisti'iuH*.  l>iit  when  colo- 
nios  arc  first  sctlli'd,  in  a  (Country  so  oiitiiH'ly  primitivt!  as 
that  to  which  William  IN'iiii  led  his  roUowcrs,  thtTu  is  a 
kind  of  ivtroj^rado  move'iiirnt  of  ihc  mind,  r('(|nisito  tore- 
coucilc  |ic'0|)k'  to  the  now  duties  anil  new  views  thai  open 
to  them,  and  to  make  the  total  privation  of  wonted  ohjeets, 
modes,  and  amusements,  tolerable. 

Perfect  simplicity  of  taste  and  manners,  and  entire  indif- 
ference to  much  »»f  what  the  world  calls  jdeasure,  wen; 
necessary  to  make  life  tolerable  to  the  first  settlers  in  a 
trackless  wilderness.  These  hal»its  of  thinkin;^  and  livinj^, 
so  difficidt  to  actpiire,  and  s<»  painful  when  foreed  upon  tlu; 
mind  by  inevitable  necessity,  the  (Quakers  brouj^dit  with  them, 
and  left,  without  ri'i^ret,  a  world  from  which  they  were 
already  excluded  by  that  austere  simplicity  which  pecidiarly 
fitted  them  for  their  new  situation.  A  kindred  simplicity, 
and  a  similar  ignorance  of  artificial  refinements  and  high 
seasoned  pk'asures,  jiroduced  the  same  effect  in  (pialifying 
the  first  settlers  at  .\lbany  to  support  the  jiri  vat  ions,  and 
endure  the  inconvenienci's  of  their  noviciate  in  the  forests 


f  tl 


oi  tne  new  world.  Ibit  to  ri'tui-n  to  ^Villiam  I'enn  ;  the 
f.dv  fabric  he  iiad  erected,  though  it  speiMlily  fulfilled  the 
utmost  promise  »»f  hope,  contained  within  itself  the  princi|»l(^ 
of  dissolution,  and,  from  the  verv  nature  of  (lie  l)ein(rs  which 
composed  it,  must  have  decayed,  though  the  rcv(>Iuti(»nary 

ty  and 


shock  had  not  so  soonsliaken  its  foundati( 


»ns. 


Sol 


)ru 


prudence  lea<l  naturally  to  wealth,  and  wealth  to  authority, 
whidi  soon  strikes  at  the  root  of  the  shml  live(|  jtrincipie  of 
ecpiality.  A  single  instance  may  occur  here  and  thi-re,  but 
who  can  ever  suppose  nature  running  so  contrary  to  her  bias 
that  all  the  opulent  mendtersof  a  community  sjiould  acipiire 
or  iidierit  wealth  for  the  mere  purj)ose  of  giving  it  awa\^  ? 
Where  there  are  no  elegant  arts  to  be  encouraged,  no  ele- 


gant pleasures  to  ih)  procured,  where  ingemiity  is  not  to  be 
rewarded,  or  talent  admired  or  exercised,  what  is  wealth 
but  a  cumbrous  load,  sinking  the  (jwiier  dee})er  and  deeper 


L-l 


DY. 

r.iitwln'ii  rolt)- 
ly  i.riiuitive  as 
kiTs,  tlicre  is  iv 
ri'cpiisiti'  toru- 
vicws  tli:it  oiH'ii 
Nvoiitotl  ohjoc-ls, 

iUitl  ontiiv  iiidil'- 
;   i.U-:isun',  woi-i! 
•St   si'ttU'VS  in   :i 
ikiiij;  !iu<l  living;, 
r<.iv('<l  u|»<>n  tlu! 
oujrlit  with  them, 
^vhich   tliey  wiTO 
wiiicli  itoruliarly 
ndivtl  siini»ru'ily, 
MuentH   :in»l  l>ii?i» 
ct  in  (lUiilifyint^ 
privations,  and 
\{v  in  tlu'  I'tiri'sta 
li:un  Tcnn  ;  the 
ally  fnltilU'.l  the 
self  the  i>rin('il»U^ 
the  beings  whii'U 
1h-  revohitionary 
,s.     Sohriety  and 
ivltli  to  anthority, 
lived  |>rinc'i|)le  of 
IV  and  tliere,  l>nt 
iitrary  to  her  hias 
itv  shoidd  a('<|nire 
■  (jrivinu;  it  away  ? 
icourapMl,  no  cle- 
'iniitv  is  not  to  bo 
d,  wiiat  is  wealth 
doe]»er  and  deeper 


Mkmotrs  of  an  Ammrican  Lai»y. 


3«;3 


into  j^rossiie.'S  and  dnUness,  having  no  Incitcnicnl  to  cxcrcist^ 
the  only  racnlties  pcrmitlcd  him  to  nsc,  and  I't-w  oltji'cts  to 
relieve  in  a  eoiiunnnily  from  which  \  ifc  and  jMivcrty  are 
e<Hially  cxclnth'd  l»y  their  indnstry,  and  ihi'ir  whoh-soine 
rnh'  of  e\|i\dsioii.  We  all  know  that  there  is  not  in  society 
a  more  useless  and  disgustinu:  character  than  what  is  formed 
hvthe  possession  of  great  wealth  without  elegance  or  rellne- 
meiit,  without,  indeed,  that  lilierality  which  can  only  result 
from  a  certain  (h'gree  of  cultivation.  What  then  would  a 
connnunity  he,  entirely  formctl  of  such  pei'sons,  or,  suppos- 
ing such  a  conmmnity  to  exist,  how  long  would  they  adhere 
to  the  sim|»le  manners  of  their  founder,  with  such  a  so\iree 
of  corruption  mingled  with  their  very  existence.  Detaeli- 
nu'Ut  fn»m  pleasui'e  and  from  vanity,  frugal  and  simple 
liahits,  and  a  hahitual  close  adherence  to  some  partiiudar 
trade  or  employnu-nt,  are  circumstances  that  have  a  sure 
tendency  to  enrich  the  individuals  who  practice  them.  This 
in  the  end  is  "to  give  humility  a  "coach  and  six,"  that  is, 
to  destroy  the  very  principle  of  atlhesion  which  l)inds  and 
continues  the  si'ct. 

Ilighlv  estimable  as  a  sect,  these  ju'ople  were  respectable 
and  amiable  in  their  collective  c;ipa<'ity  as  a  colony,  lint 
then  it  was  an  institution  so  cotistructed,  that,  without  a 
miracle,  its  \  irtut's  must  have  expired  with  its  minority.  I 
do  not  luMH-  speak  of  the  necessity  of  its  being  governed  and 
protei'ted  by  those  of  different  opinions,  but  merely  of 
wealth  stagnating  without  its  proper  appFu-at ion.  Of  this 
humane  commimity  it  is  but  just  to  say,  that  they  were  the 
oidy  Knropeans  in  the  new  world  who  always  treated  the 
i  dians  with  prol)ity  like  their  own,  and  with  kindness  cal- 
culate<lto  do  honor  to  the  faith  they  professed.  I  8]>eak  of 
them  now  in  their  collective  capacity.  They  two  are  the 
otdy  ])eople  that,  in  a  temperate,  judicious  (and,  I  trust, 
successful),  maniuM',  have  endeavored,  an(]  still  endeavor  to 
convert  the  Indians  to  ("hi-istianity  ;  for  them  too  was  re- 
served tlie  honorable  distinct  ion  of  being  the  only  body  who 


364 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady. 


If  I 


Kacrifieod  intorcst  to  luiiniuiity,  l>y  voluntarily  j^iviiicf  fi'oo- 
(loiii  to  thos(!  hIuvcs  whom  tlii-y  held  in  easy  Ixtiidago.  That 
a  ^ovorniiu'iit  so  eoiistitutctl  could  not,  in  tiie  nature  of 
things,  long  exist,  is  to  he  regretted  ;  that  it  produced  so 
much  good  to  otiiers  and  so  much  comfort  and  j)i  tsperity 
to  its  subjects  while  it  did  exist,  is  an  honorable  testimony 
of  tho  worth  and  wisdom  of  its  benevolent  founder. 


^  i 


CIIAPTKdi  LXVr 

PUOSI'KI  IS    BlJI(iHTliMN(i  IN  AmKUK  A, 

XIOVV^KVKK  discouraging  the  prospect  of  society  on  this 
great  continent  may  at  present  apjtear,  there  is  every  n-a- 
8on  to  hope  time,  and  the  ordinary  course  of  e\cnts,  may 
bring  about  a  desirable  change  ;  but  in  the  present  state 
of  things,  no  government  seems  less  calculated  to  ]»romote 
tlio  liappiness  of  its  subjects,  or  to  ensure  jtennanence  to 
itself,  than  that  feeble  and  unstable  system  wliicli  is  onlj 
calcMdated  for  a  community  comprising  more  virtue,  and 
more  union  than  such  a  heterogeneous  mixture  can  be  sup- 
posed to  have  attained.  States,  like  individuals,  ])urchase 
wisdom  by  suflfering,  and  they  have  probaldy  much  to  en- 
dure before  they  assume  a  fixed,  determinate  form. 

Without  partiality  it  may  be  safely  averred,  that  notwith- 
standing the  severity  of  the  climate,  and  other  unfavorable 
circumstan(;es,  the  provinces  of  Hritisli  America  are  the 
abode  of  more  i)rcs»'nt  safety  and  happiness,  and  contain 
situations  more  favorable  to  futuri'  establishments,  than  any 
Avithin  the  limits  of  the  United  States. 

To  state  all  the  grounds  upon  which  this  opinion  is 
founded,  might  lead  me  into  discussions,  narratives,  and  de- 
scription wliich  might  swell  into  a  volume,  more  interest- 
ing than  tlie  preceding  one.  liut  being  at  j)resent  neither 
able  or  inclined  to   do  justice  to  the  subject,  I  shall    only 


Y. 

idiige.  Tlitvt 
he  nature  oi 
;  produced  so 
„a  i>i  .sperity 
hie  testinu»uy 
under. 


ICA. 

socioty  on  this 
•0  is  every  'ea- 
of  events,  may 
e  present  state 
I  ted  to  promote 
permanence  to 
I  whicl)  is  only 
ore  virtue,  aiul 
uve  can  be  sup- 
ithuils,  purchase 
)ly  much  to  en- 
.te  form. 
>d,  that  n«)twith- 
tlier  unfavorahle 
Vnierica  are  the 
less,  and  contain 
nnents,  than  any 

h  tliis  opinion  is 
arratives,  and  de- 
e.  more  interest- 
t  ])resent  neither 
ject,  I  sliall   only 


Memohus  op  an  Amkkican  L  m>y 


805 


briefly  observe  first,  with  rej^anl  to  tlie  {^ovenunt-nt,  it  is 
one  to  which  tlii'  ifoviiiud  are  fondly  atlac-hed,  and  wliirli 
like  relji^ion  l)econies  endeared  to  its  votaries,  bv  the  sutTer- 
ings  they  have  endured  for  tlieir  iidlierer  -e  to  it.  It  is 
consonant  to  their  earliest  jirejudici's,  and  s;iiutioned  by 
hereditary  attachment.  The  climate  is  indeed  severe,  Itnt 
it  is  slea<ly  and  i'ei;ular,  the  skies  in  the  interior  .are  clear, 
tiu^  air  pure.  The  summer,  with  all  tin-  heat  of  warm 
climates  to  cherish  the  producti<»ns  of  the  earth,  is  not 
subject  to  thi'  drouiflil  that  in  such  climates  scorches  :ind 
destroys  them.  Abundant  woods  furnish  shelter  aud  fuel, 
to  mitii^ate  the  severity  <d'   winter;  and  streams  rapid   and 

copious  flow  in  all  directions  to  i'efre>h  the   plants  and  < 1 

the  air,  during  their  short  but  ardent  summer. 

The  c(MUitry,  harreu,  at  the  sea-side,  does  not  aflord  an 
inducenu'Ut  for  those  extensive  sett  leUM'iits  which  have  a 
ti'n<lency  to  become  merely  connnercial  from  tlieir  situation. 
It  bi'coiiu's  mori'  iV-rtile  as  it  recedes  further  from  the  sea. 
Thus  holdiujjf  out  an  inducement  to  |»ursue  nature  into  her 
favorite  retreats,  where  on  the  banks  of  mighty  waters,  cal- 
cul.atetl  to  pronn)te  all  the  purposes  of  social  traflic  amoiiLj 
the  inhabitants,  the  richest  soil,  the  happiest  clim.ate,  and 
the  im)st  complete  detachnu'nt  from  the  world,  promises  a 
safe  asylum  to  those  who  cari-y  the  arts  and  the  literature 
of  Europe,  hereafti'r  to  tjrace  and  eidii^jhten  scenes  where 
aij^riculture  has  already  made  rapid  a<lvaiici'S. 


In  the  dawnint^  liLjht  which  .alreadv  l»ei,fins  to  rise  in  tl 


lese 


renu)te  .abodes,  nuich  may  be  discovereil  of  what  juomises 
a  britrhter  day,  Kxceptinvr  tin-  reuniant  of  the  old  Cana- 
dians, w'no  are  .a  wry  inoffensive  |ieople,  patient  and  cheer- 
ful, attacheil  to  monarchy,  and  nnn-h  assimilate(l  to  our 
modes  of  thinking  and  living,  these  provinces  are  peopled, 
for  the  most  p.art,  with  inhabitants  possessed  of  true 
British  hearts  and  principles,  ^'eterans  who  have  sIhmI 
their  blood,  and  spent  their  best  days  in  the  service  of  the 
parent  country,  and  royalists  who  have  fled  here  for  a  re- 


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fiigo,  iU'tcr  devoting  their  property  to  the  support  of  their 
lionor  .'111(1  loyalty  ;  who  adluie  together  and  form  a 
soeiety  graced  by  that  knowledge,  and  t]i(»se  manners, 
whieli  renderetl  them  respeetahle  iii  their  original  state, 
with  all  the  e.\[»erieiice  gained  from  adversity  ;  and  that 
elevation  of  sentiment  which  ix'snlts  from  the  consciousness 
of  having  sutfcriMl  in  a  good  cause.  Here,  too,  are  clusters 
of  emigrants,  who  have  fled,  unac(|uaiiite(l  with  the  refine- 
ments, and  uncoiitaminated  hy  the  old  world,  to  seek  for 
that  hread  and  peace,  which  the  prcjgress  of  luxury  aii<l  the 
change  of  manners  denied  them  at  home.  TIere  they  come 
in  kindly  <'onfederation,  resolve*!  to  cherish  in  those  kin- 
dred groups,  which  have  left  Avith  social  sorrow  their 
native  mountains,  the  customs  iiiid  traditions,  tlie  language 
and  the  love  of  their  ancestors,  and  to  find  comfort  in  that 
religion,  whicli  lias  heen  ever  their  support  and  their 
shield,  for  all  that  they  h.-ive  left  behind.' 

It  is  by  tribes  of  individuals  intimately  connected  witli 
each  otlier  l)y  some  common  tie,  that  a  country  is  most  ad- 
vantageously settled  ;  to  whidi  tlie  ol)vious  superiority  in 
])oint  of  princi|de  and  union  tliat  distinguishes  British 
America  from  the  United  States,  is  cliiefly  owing.  Our 
provinces  afford  no  room  for  wild  speculations  eitlier  of  tlie 
(M)iiiniercial  or  }H)litical  kind  ;  regular,  moderate  trade, 
])romising  little  beyond  a  comfortable  subsistence,  and 
agriculture,  re<puring  much  industry  and  settled  habits,  are 
the  only  paths  ()])en  to  adventurers  ;  and  the  chief  induce- 
ment to  emigration  is  the  ])ossil)ility  of  an  attached  society 
of  friends  and  kindred,  finding  room  to  dwell  together,  and 
meeting,  in  the  dipth  of  these  fertile  wilds,  with  similar  as- 
sociations. Hence  solitary  and  desperate  adventurers,  the 
vain,  the  turbulent,  and  the  and)itioiis,  shun  these  regulated 


'  It  is  needless  to  enlarge  on  a  subject,  to  which  Lord  Selkirk  has 
done  such  ami)le  justice,  who  wanted  notliing  but  a  little  experience 
and  a  little  aid,  to  make  the  best  practical  comments  on  his  own 
judicious  observations. —  Mrs.  Grant. 


DY. 

|.port  of  their 
and   form    a 
hose    inanners, 
original    state, 
<\\y  ;  aiitl  that 
[>  consciousness 
oo,  are  ehisters 
^ith  tlie  retine- 
,•1,1,  to  seek  for 

luxury  and  the 
[k've  they  oonu^ 
h  in  those  kin- 
il    sorrow    their 
,s,  the  language 

comfort  in  that 
)port    and   their 

connected  with 
mtry  is  most  ad- 
is  superiority  in 
nc-uishes  British 
tly  owing.  Our 
ions  either  of  the 

moderate   trade, 

suhsistence,  and 
hettled  habits,  are 

the  chief  induce- 
1  attached  society 
svell  together,  and 

s,  with  similar  as- 
■  adventurers,  the 
in  these  regulated 

ch  Lord  Selkirk  has 
)ut  a  little  experience 
3Uiraents  on  his  own 


Memoirs  of  an  American  Lai>y. 


307 


«^ 


al)odes  of  quiet  industry,  for  scenes  more  adajited  to  their 
genius. 

I  siiall  now  conclude  my  recollections,  which  circum- 
stances have  often  renderi'd  very  painful  ;  hut  will  not  take 
u})()nmetoenlai-geou  th<»sehoi)esthat  stretch  a  dubious  wing 
into  temporal  futurity,  in  search  of  a  brightci-  dav,  and  a 
better  order  of  things.  Content  if  1  have  jticsci-N  (mI  some 
records  of  a  valuable  life  :  thrown  some  iilinunei'liiLr  liu'ht 
upon  the  progress  of  society  in  that  peculiar  state,  which  it 
was  my  fate  to  witness  and  to  share,  and  ail'orded  sonu' 
hours  of  harmless  anmsenu'ut  to  those  lovers  of  nature  and 
of  truth,  who  can  patiently  trace  their  progress  through  a 
tale  devoid  alike  of  regular  arrangement,  surprising  variety, 
and  artificial  embellishment. 


The  reader,  who  has  j)atiently  gone  on  t<^  the  conclusion 
of  these  desultory  memoirs,  will  i>erhaps  i-egret  [larting  with 
that  singular  association  of  peojile,  the  ^loiiawk  tribes,  with- 
out knowing  where  the  few  that  renndn  have  taken  uj)  their 
al)ode.  It  is  but  doing  justice  to  this  distinguished  race  to 
say,  that,  though  diminished,  they  were  not  subdued  ; 
though  voluntary  exiles,  not  degraded.  Their  courage  and 
fidelity  were  to  the  last  exerted  in  the  nu)st  trying  exigen- 
cies. True  to  their  alliance  with  that  nation  with  whom 
they  luul  ever  lived  in  friendship,  and  fiiithfid  to  that  re- 
spectable family,  who  had  fornu'd  at  once  the  cement  and  the 
medium  by  which  that  alliance  was  confirnu'd,  ami  through 
which  assurances  of  attachnu'nt  and  assistaiu'e  ha<l  been 
transmitted,  all  that  remained  of  this  powerful  nation  fol- 
lowed Sir  John  Johnson  (the  son  of  their  revered  Sir  Wil- 
liam) into  Uppei  Canada,  where  tlu-y  now  find  a  home 
around  the  pla<'c>  of  his  residence.  One  old  man  alone, 
having  no  living  tie  remaining,  would  not  forsake  thetond)s 
of  his  ancestors,  and  remains  like  "  a  watchman  on  the 
lonely  hill  ;"  or  rather  like  a  sad  memento  of  an  extin- 
guished nation. 


N  O  T  E 


I.; 

■   "I 


i  ! 


**•.. 


The  op])ortunity  is  wolcomcd  of  apjK'ndinnf  to  tluR  volume  an  un- 
published letter  of  Mrs.  Uraut,  the  orijrinal  of  which  is  in  the  posses- 
sion of  the  Hon.  John  V.  L.  Pruyn,  to  whom  this  edition  is  dedicated 
by  the  editor.  Tlie  especial  object  of  Lady  Charlotte  Bury's  appeal  to 
her  kindness  docs  not  appear  from  the  letter  itself  nor  in  the  Dinry 
ascribed  to  Lady  Bury,  published  in  London  in  18;5H,  and  which  con- 
tains other  hitters  of  Mrs.  (irant  not  in  her  ])ubli8hed  correspondence. 
It  illustrates,  however,  the  characteristic  traits  of  the  author. —  M. 

Brae  House,  July  9th,  188L 
My  Dkaii  Madam  : 

I  lose  no  tinu'  in  answering  your  Ladyship's  letters,  and  only  jjrieve 
that  I  have  nothing  very  satisfactory  to  communicate.  Tho'  the  noble 
and  affecting  candour  of  your  ccmimunication  ha,s  deeply  interested 
me,  I  think  there  are  very  few  to  whom  you  are  known  who  would 
not  willingly  ])ay  this  slender  tribute  to  difiiculties  with  which  every 
person  cai)abl(!  of  estimating  your  many  claims  to  consideration  niusi 
sympalhizt!.  I  have  been  casting  about  in  my  own  mind  the  great 
number  of  persons  who  I  think  would  Iuum!  jileasure  in  giving  this 
testimonv  of  resjiect  and  esteem.  For  instance,  there  is  the  Family  of 
Miller  of  Earnock,  very  wealthy,  liberal  in  tlu^  use  of  that  wealth,  and 
childless.  They  value  themselves  not  a  little  in  being  pretty  nearly  con- 
nected with  your  family.  I  think  both  he  and  his  sister  would  give 
their  nauKss  readily,  if  proi)erly  applied  to.  I  would  send  one  of  the 
])roi)osals  you  inclose  were  it  not  like  taking  too  great  a  liberty  both 
with  tliem  and  you.  But,  if  you  sent  me  a  few  lines  addressed  to 
these  kindred  of  yours,  expressing  your  wish  that  an  object  of  some 
importance  to  you  should  receive  their  assistance, or  something  to  that 
purpose,  I  would  inclose  one  of  the  projxisals  and  send  it  to  them. 
I  shall  mention  certain  Highland  C'hiettains  who  I  should  su])pose 
would  feel  honored  in  adding  to  your  list.  Lochiel,  Chime,  Macintosh, 
(Jrant  of  (llenmoriston.  I  should  have  said  first  the  Honorable  Col. 
Grant,  Charles  Grant,  M. P.,  John  Grant  of  Kilgraston,  Lord  Macdonald, 
Madeod,  etc.,  etc.  Now  I  think  if  you  inclosed  to  each  of  these 
(Jentlemen  a  j)roposal  accompanied  with  a  few  lines  expressive  of  a 
])eculiar  urgency  which  induces  you  to  put  the  good  will  of  your  friends 
to  this  proof,  1  think  there  could  be  no  disappointment.  "  Often 
shall  we  find  the  sharded  beetle  in  a  safer  hold,  than  is  the  full  wing'd 
Eagle."  Thus  after  long  and  severe  struggles  with  I  find  myself  in  a 
kind  of  safe  tranquility  as  to  circumstances  which  your  rank,  and  the 
sphere  you  have  to  fill  in  society,  besides  I  could  mention  many  others 
but  as  yet  writing  is  not  indulged  to  as  I  am  slowly  recovering  from 
a  severe  illness.  I  should  indeed  be  glad  had  I  the  power  to  i)roraote 
that  or  any  other  object  desireable  to  you,  being  with  much  respect 
and  regard.  Your  Ladyship's  obedient  Scjrvant, 

Anne  Okant. 


iliis  volnmo  an  un- 
ch  ia  in  the  possea- 
-dition  ia  dedicated 
tte  Bury'a  appenl  to 
f  nor  in  tlx^  THnry 
i^aS,  and  wliicli  con- 
hed  corre8i)ondence. 
he  author.—  M. 

;o,  Jxily  9th,  1831. 

ters,  and  only  frrieve 
■ate.     Tho'  the  noide 
laa  deeply  interested 
!  known  who  would 
es  with  which  every 
)  consideration  niusi, 
own  mind  the  «rreat 
■asiire  in   jj;iving  this 
here  is  the  Family  of 
se  of  that  wealth,  and 
•injr  pretty  nearly  con- 
hia  sister  would  give 
ould  send  one  of  the 
)  great  a  liberty  both 
w  lines  addressed  to 
hat  an  object  of  some 
,(>r  something  to  that 
and  send  it  to  them, 
■ho  I  should  suppose 
iel,  Chime,  Macintosh, 
rst  the  Honorable  Col. 
iston,  Lord  Macdonald, 
ised   to  each  of  these 
•  linos  expressive  of  a 
,od  will  of  your  friends 
appointment.     "  Often 
than  is  the  full  wing'd 
with  I  find  myself  in  a 
ich  your  rank,  and  the 
d  mention  many  others 
slowly  recov(!ring  from 
I  the  power  to  promote 
nil-  with  much  respect 
s  obedient  Servant, 
Annb  Guant. 


INDEX. 


AbcTcrombie,   General,  221,  225; 

defeat  of,  228  ;  succeeded,  270. 
African  servants,  178. 
Agriculture  at  Oswego,  2.')8. 
Albany,descrii)tioiiof,  48  ;  records, 

27  ;  origin  of  settlement,  27  ; 

growing    in    ]>rosperity,    10  ; 

nail  works,  !)i) ;  fort  at,  2(il, 

202;  i)rosii(!rity  of,  ;J4')  ;  first 

settlers.  ;<()2. 
Albanians  extending  trade  to  tin; 

lakes,  122  ;  ciiHtoins  of,  18.j. 
Almanac,  Poor  Richard's,  351. 
Amherst,    Sir  Jeffrey,   notice   (jf. 

270,  281. 
America,   prospects    brightening, 

304. 
Amusements,  73,  75. 
Anbury,  ('apt.,  87. 
Anglomania,  spread  of,  lf)7. 
Animals  of  the  forest,  08,  Oi)  ;  saga- 
city of,  181. 
Anne,  Qu(!en,  35, 40  ;  Indians  visit, 

30.  37. 
Argyll,  Duke  of,  12. 
Armies,  their  route,  99. 
Armv,  aversion  to,  190  ;  fnllowers 

of,  188,  191. 
Aurat  ia,  see  Oranienburg,  29. 
Barc.ay,  Rev.  Dr.,  230. 
Bern,  description  of,  110;  great, 

308. 
Barre,  Mons.,  his  expedition,  153, 

154. 
Baskets,  Indian,  57. 
Batavians,  commercial    spirit   of, 

33. 
Bat(;aux,  where  taken,  99. 
Beads,  Indian  contempt  for,  145. 
Bear  month,  145. 
Bears,  prevalence  of,  43,  07,  249  ; 

danger  of  metiting,  12!) ;  fires 

to  jirotect  against,  250 ;  grease, 

])ro()f  against  insects,  187. 
Beaux  Stratagem  enactcnl,  198. 
Beaver  month,  145. 

47 


Beavers,  their  habits,  297,  298. 

Beekmans,  27. 

Beggars  unknown,  84. 

Berrying,  57. 

Hetty,  a  beauty,  178. 

Bil)l(!  tlu!  code  of  morality,  54. 

Bilberries,  50. 

Birds,  great  lunnber  of,  59,  101, 
110,  112  ;  cherished,  307,  308; 
nests,  iieciiliar,  115. 

Ulack  \Vat(-h,  229. 

Hiii/.ing,  314. 

Blind  Harry  the  Scottish  Homer, 
9. 

Book  of  Common  Prayer,  230. 

Boundaries  of  far  ms  indefinite,  etc., 
35,  ;{i;j,  314. 

Boys  indulged  with  guns,  129. 

Braddock's  defeat.  222. 

Bradstreet,  General,  215,272,  281, 
280, 287  ;  (luarter-master  gene- 
ral, 18!)  ;  takes  Frontennc, 
233  ;  takes  Oswego,  235  ;  dis- 
covers fire  at  Flats,  240  ;  aids 
in  rebuilding  house  at  Flats, 
242  ;  sketch  of,  242. 

Brainerd,  David,  151. 

Brass  knocker,  (juaint,  241. 

Brticker's  island,  99 ;  described, 
100. 

British  army  introduced  a  spuri- 
ous race,  55  ;  oflicers  ul  the 
Flats,  100 ;  confeileracy  of, 
314. 

British  provinces,  advantages  of, 
304  ;  climate  severe,  305. 

Broom,  unknown,  113. 

Bruce,  Rol)ert ,  his  escape,  201 ,  202. 

Bullfrogs,  07. 

Burgoyiu',  apjiroach  of,  331. 

Burr,  .Xaron,  354. 

C;esar,  his  dexterity,  178. 

Cakes,  variety  of,  74. 

Caledonians  honored  tho  fair,  95. 

Campbell,  Duncan,  22!)  ;  ('apt. 
Mungo,  250,  202. 


370 


Index. 


Canada  cxpoclition,  1690,  42; 
fatlier  ot  Ep.  church  in,  237  ; 
governors  of,  15:3 ;  marcli 
throufifh,  252;  Mohawks  re- 
moved to,  !J07  ;  suhjection  of, 
fatal  to  Pontiac,  273. 

Canadian  priests,  intrijxn<'Sf>fi  275  ; 
])riHoner8,  130. 

Canadians,  frequented  the  Fiats, 
185;  remnant  of  old,  305  ;  im- 
migrants, 3<)0. 

Canoe,  l)ark,  (j4  ;  family,  01. 

Canoes,  slifjlitly  laden,  GO ;  oh- 
structions  to,  00. 

Captive,  reluctance  to  return,  l-li). 

Carnival,  rural,  5!). 

Carryinj;  places*,  05. 

Cassilis,  Countess,  322. 

Castles  of  the  Indians,  93. 

Catalina,  lb5,  180, 193  ;  her  family, 
231  ;  death  of,  300. 

Catecliism,  Dutch.  193. 

Cats,  alfectiou   f<jr  projreny,   132. 

Cayujjas,  35. 

Cedars,  07,  250. 

Chalk,  married,  50. 

Characteristics  of  the  ]ieople,  43. 

Charles  the  Second.  27,  28. 

Cherry  trees,  115. 

Children,  adoption  of,  130,  134, 
103  ;  companies  of,  50,  57. 

China,  first  American  slooj)  voy- 
age, 28. 

Christian  Indians,  their  influence, 
158. 

Churclies,  48. 

Citizens  ridiculed  by  the  niilitarv, 
192. 

Civilization,  ])ro(rress  of,  138. 

Clarendon,  323,  339,  343  ;  located, 
290,297,331,334. 

Claverack,  emijrration  to,  9,  10. 

Clerjry,  controversy  amonj^,  198. 

Clima'te,  141. 

Clothes  made  in  tlie  family,  58,  59. 

Coasting  down  Jonker  street,  79, 
80. 

Cockburn,  Memorials  of  his  Time, 
17. 

Coetus,  195,  205. 

Colden,  Cadwallader,  210,  299; 
compared  to  Eso]).  211;  Lt. 
Gov.,  carriage  burnt,  342. 


Cohoes  falls,  descrilied,  05. 

Collation  i)artii^s,  77,  78. 

Colonial  Documents,  242  ;  History, 
281. 

Columi)ia  College,  Ogilvie  prof,  at, 
23(!. 

Commerce  with  Euroj)e,  185;  with 
West  Indies,  183,  184. 

Comnuin,  Indian  encrtinijment  on, 
1215;  Common  Prayt^r  in  In- 
dian, 23(). 

Companies  of  children,  50. 

Cunferentie,  195. 

Connecticut,  innnigrants,  309,  310, 
318;  settlers,  spirit  of,  ;543  ; 
soldiers,  Indian  contempt  for, 
159  ;  river  boundary,  320. 

Controversy  among  the  clergy, 
195. 

Coonie,  Patrick,  328  ;  his  hut,  329, 
330. 

Corlaer,  definition  of,  152,  154. 

Cooper,  John  'I'ayler,  213. 

Corn  cultivated,  50;  bin,  117. 

Cortlandt  manor,  30,  243. 

Costume  of  tlie  mistress  of  the 
garden,  40. 

Cottagers  of  Ulenl)urnit!.  17. 

('ousin,  custom  of  styling,  180. 

Cowardice,  instance  of,  125. 

Cowley,  bish<-p  of  Cioyne,  358. 

Cows,  pastunul,  49. 

Cranberries  gathered  by  the  na- 
tives, 93. 

Crawford,  Earl  of,  200. 

Cromwell,  design  to  embark  for 
America,  127. 

Ci'(mnvellian  jjolitics,  304. 

Crownpoint,  mutiny  at,  271  ;  re- 
moval of  regiment  from,  208. 

Cruger,  Mrs.  Douglas,  12. 

Customs,  of  the  country,  46,  47  ; 
provincial,  182. 

Cutaneous  diseases  unknown  by 
the  Indians,  93. 

Cuvler,  Caialina,  207,  208  ;  Cor- 
'  nelis,  42,  185,  180.  193,  234, 
died,  301  ;  Ensign  Cornells, 
255;  General,  232  ;  Mrs,  295  ; 
Mrs.  Cornells,  234;  Philip, 
205,  266;  the  Misses,  212. 

Cuvlers,  27,  28,  30,  32,  100. 

Daiyell,  Capt.,  killed,  281. 


di'srribed,  fii). 

tics,  77,  78. 

aiucnta,  242;  History, 

llt'ge.Ot^ilv'm  prof,  at, 

itliEnropo.lSr);  with 

dies,  18:5,  184. 

(Ihin  I'licHiniiiucnt  on, 

iinmou  Prayer  in  In- 

(i. 

)f  (diili'rcn,  5G. 

ID").  ^ 

iniM\iK''tints,30U,  olU, 

tilers,   spirit  of,   ;?4;5  ; 

,  Indian  contcmiit  for, 

ver  boundary,  320. 

anaonj?    the    ckTjjry, 

rick,  328  ;lii8  hut,  329, 

inition  of,  ir)2,  ir)4. 
inTayhT,  213. 
ated,  ;")();  bin,  117. 
ni'nor.  30,  243. 
f  the  mistress  ot   tho 

1,  4(i. 

fUlenburnie.  17. 
iloni  ot'stylin<r^l86. 

instance  of,  125. 
^h^,y  of  Cloyne,  358. 
ured,  49. 
s  <rathered  by  the  na- 

93. 

Earl  of,  2GG. 

(lesion  to  embark  for 
ca,  127. 

an  politice,  304. 
It,  mutiny  at,  271  ;  rtv 

of  rejrimcnt  from,  2(58. 
rs.  Dou<rlas,  12. 

)f  the  country,  46,  47  ; 
.icial,  182. 

<  diseases  unknown   by 
idians,  93. 
aialina,  2()7,  2G8  ;  Cor- 

42    185,  18G,   193,  234, 

;30'l  •    Ensij?n  t^ornelis, 
General.  232;  Mrs,  295; 

Cornelis,   234;    Philip, 
'GG  ;  the  Misses,  212. 
.7,  28,  30,  32,  lOG. 

■apt.,  killed,  281. 


Index. 


371 


Daughters,  tlieir  outtlt,  72. 

Davers,  Sir  l{ol)ert,277  ;  joined  tlie 
Ilurons,  278;  killei'l,  280. 

Dean,  Stewart,  28. 

D'Este,  Colonel,  18. 

Dtdjan(;evs,  27,  28  ;  of  Frencli  de- 
scent. 109. 

DeQuincey,  14,  IG. 

Detroit,  voyay;e  to,  G5  ;  fort  l)uilt, 
273,274  ;  plan  for  sei/.intr,  27G. 

Diana,  her  projrt^ny,  178,  179. 

Diananuit,  304. 

Diary  of  t lie  Siejre  of  Detroit,  242. 

Dinner,  how  si^rved,  74,  75. 

Domestics,  privilej^cs  of,  182. 

Dominf^s,  socall('(l,  1!)5. 

Door,  ancient  lateral,  241. 

Drake,  S.  il.,  advocates  Shirley, 
124. 

Dramas  read,  311,  319,  324. 

Duane,  ii<rent  of,  321 . 

Ducks,  wild,  numerous,  GO,  Gl. 

Duncan,  ^(donel,  252,  2G1,  292  ;  his 
library,  254;  lord  of  ("ampcT- 
down*  252,  2G1  ;  major,  10; 
at  Detroit,  271,  282. 

Dunlo]),  Robert,  ;)03. 

Dutcii  acquired  Eufjlish  languaft'e, 
32. 

Dutch  church,  cemetery,  213  ; 
Indian  congress  in,  41. 

Dutchman's   Fireside,  suggested, 

E ^,  Col.,  311. 

Edinburgli,  Mrs.  Grant  at,  14. 

Education  and  early  habits,  56  ; 
in  S(Mninari('s,  reflections  on, 
54  ;  of  tile  sexes,  86. 

Eighteen  Hundred  and  Thirteen, 
14. 

Elms,  lofty,  98, 115;  vine-clad, 337. 

Emigration,  passion  for,  355. 

Encampment  at  the  Flats,  120, 123. 

Episcopal  minister,  2!{G. 

Engineers,  British,  216,  217. 

Erie,  lake,  65. 

Esopus,  25. 

Essays  on  superstitions  of  High- 
landers, 14. 

Europe,  ))rogress  of  civilization  in, 
138. 

European  servitude  contrasted,  53. 

Farm  products,  45,  46. 


Females,  religious  instruction  de- 
volved upon,  45. 

Fifty-tittii  regiment,  239,2-14,251  ; 
at  Aii)any,  261  ;  drafting  of, 
297  ;  removed  to  Albany,  2G9  ; 
sent  tt)  Florida,  284  ;  ordered 
to  Britain,  2G4,  2.-;),  292. 

Fires,  protection  against  wild  ani- 
niiils,  250. 

Fidli  of  tlie  lake,  2G0. 

Fishkili,  28  (CalskiilV),  98. 

Five  Nations,  31. 

Fiats,  described,  98;  alluded  to, 
102  ;  lioustMind  rural  economy 
at,  106,  110,114,  119;  Indians 
and  settlers  rested  at,  119; 
used  as  a  hospital,  12!!  ;  society 
at,  169  ;  parties  at,  176  ;  hos- 
l)italities  at,  178,  182;  f're- 
(pu'iUed  by  Canadians,  185; 
a  feast  at,  186;  boinvery  at, 
213;  cemetery,  213;  troojis 
march  }>ast,  225 ;  resorc  of 
best  society,  238 ;  house  at 
burnt,  240;  rebuilt,  241; 
view  from.  241  ;  leased,  243; 
a  considerable  ])ossession,  34, 
37;  allusion  to,  298.  302,  322, 
323,  337,  338. 

Flax  raised,  288. 

Fletcher,  Mrs.,  Autobiography  of, 
14. 

Florida  reprisals,  315. 

Forest,  interminable,  102. 

Forests  jienetrated  without  com- 
|)ass,  ()9  ;  guide  in,  69. 

Fort,  Augustus,  10, 11  ;  Brewerton. 
250,262;  IIendrick.246  ;  On- 
tario, 252  ;  Orange,  site  of  Al- 
bany, 29  ;  Oswego,  arrival  at, 
251  ;  described,  252  ;  palisa- 
doed,  34  ;  St.  Anne,  250  ;  Wm. 
Henry,  surrender  of,  229. 

Fortifications,  weakness  of,  33  ;  of 
earth  at  Haver  island,  65. 

Fortresses  erected  in  Indian  couu- 
trv,273. 

Forts  built,  217. 

Fowling  pi('(;es  for  boys,  129. 

Foxes,  249,  256  ;  fires  to  protect 
against,  250. 

France,  its  loss  by  the  Ilugonots, 
353. 


1-s 


■       ! 


Index. 


Franklin,  fatlicrdf  A'ncrican  age 
of  calculation,  'A')'<i. 

Frrncli  ami  Indian  war,  particular 
History  of,  1^4  ;  C'anadiaiiH, 
iiiHidions  wiles  of,  104;  I'ana- 
(lian.s  violati'd  tn-atics,  \'^2  ; 
traders,  fear  of,  (ill  ;  iierniit, 
50;  hostility  of,  iJ.j  ;  inlluence 
over  the  Indians,  70;  refu- 
jieos,  \'2H  ;  Iiuliaiis,  lliit  ;  take 
Oswego, '^15  ;  siibtilty  among 
the  Indians,  27;{. 

Friolinghuysen,  arrival  of,  1IM, 
VX),  lliO ;  notice  to  deimrt, 
201  ;  leaves  liis  i)eoi)]e,  'JOL»- 
30(;,  2;{r),  2;W  ;  Eva,  'J05. 

Frogs,  roaring  of,  2^)0. 

Frontenac.  governor,  15;}  ;  taken 
by  British,  2',V,i. 

Fruits  of  the  gardtsn  and  orchard, 
46. 

Furs,  avidity  of  traders  for,  ii3  ; 
and  peltry,  trade  in,  05. 

Fuyck,  naniu  for  site  of  Alhunv, 
29. 

Gaelic,  translations  from,  15. 

(ilardening,  45,  40. 

(iarrison,  weakness  of,  34. 

(larter  snake,  320. 

Geese,  wild,  numerous,  CO,  01. 

(Jencva,  society  in,  50. 

Glasgow,  adventure  in,  9. 

(iingt^r  and  water  drink,  234. 

Girls,  clotlies  of  the  family  made 
by,  58. 

Gord(m,  Duchess  of,  13. 

Governor  at  Albany,  123. 

Graham,  Gordon,  229. 

Grant,  Mrs.  Anne,  memoir  of,  9  ; 
married,  11 ;  died,  10  ;  monu- 
ment, 17  ;  incidents  in  life  of, 
25  ;  ofCarron,9  ;  Commodore, 
277  ;  Uev.  James,  11  ;  John 
P.,  18  ;  Mary,  died,  15. 

Grapes,  wild,  98. 

Green  mountain  boys,  331,  344; 
boundary,  343. 

Groeabeck,  Catharine,  107. 

Guiana,  28. 

Gunning,  juvenile,  59. 

H— ,  chaplain.  310,  317. 

Hairdress  regulated  by  Howe, 223. 

Ilaleubeck,  Caspar,  35. 


Hall's  Earlv  History  of  Vermont, 
321,339. 

Hamilton,  Ahx.,  killed,  354  ;  cap- 
tain, 250  ;  .Mrs.,  17. 

Haver  island  earthworks,  05. 

Headstones,  reiison  of  absence,  107. 

Hendrik,  King,  39;  portrait  of, 
;{9  ;  killed  39  ;  sachem  of  Mo- 
hawks, 24^),  247. 

Hermit,  50. 

Highland  emigrants,  299. 

Highlander  and  other  I'oems,  12, 
IH. 

llillh(juse's  island,  99;  described, 

Holland,  English  refugees  in,  32. 

llor.se,  superannuated,  lyl. 

llosjiital  built,  209. 

llos|>itality  at  Flats,  183. 

Hostilities,  susptMision  of,  132. 

Houses,  description  of,  48, 

H.iwt\  Lord,  a  diHcii)linarian,  222, 
223,224.220;  killed.  227. 

Huguenots,  47  ;  driven  to  emigra- 
tion, 128 ;  loss  of  to  com- 
merce, 353. 

Hunter.  Robert.  108. 

Huntingexcursion,  Indian  fashion, 
250. 

Hurons,  35. 

Ice  breaking  up,  7, 335,  330  ;  ceru- 
lean, 337. 

Idleness,  natives  falsely  accused 
of.  137. 

Immigration  from  New  England, 
303,  319. 

Indians,  numerous  and  powerful, 
31  ;  visit  England,  36  ;  i)re- 
sents  to.  39  ;  costume  of,  39  ; 
date  of  return  from  England, 
40;  met  in  Dutch  cluirch, 
41  ;  speeches  of,  preserved ,  41 ; 
baskets  imide  by,  57  ;  goods 
for,  04  ;  demoralized,  09  ;  influ- 
ence of  the  French  over,  70  ; 
un8(,phisticated,  70 ;  wig- 
wams, 87  ;  manufactures.  87  ; 
moccasins,  etc.,  87;  occupa- 
tions of,  88,  93  ;  boys,  occu- 
])ation8  of,  88 ;  treated  ne- 
groes with  contempt,  89 ; 
proselytes,  90 ;  manners  cf 
converts,    91 ;    traffic  of  the 


Index. 


373 


TliHtory  of  Vermont, 

.•x.,  killf(l,;5r)4;  cap- 

;  Mrs.,  17. 

carlliworkH,  (ir). 
ri'iiHoiioiiibsciici',  107. 
ill"-,  ;!!• ;    poriniit   of, 
I'lHi'.* ;  Hiiclu'iu  of  Mo- 
i4(5,  247. 

iii<rmnts,  2'.)'.). 

iind  olhtT  I'ofms,  12, 

island,  DU  ;  dcscribctl, 

Itrlisll   rcflirri'CH   ill,  >V2. 

mumiiitfil,  181. 

ilt,  2(»i». 

at  Flats.  182. 

rtiisiKMisioii  of,  133. 

icriptioii  of,  4H. 

i,adis('ipliiiari!ui,222, 

4,22(1;  killed.  227. 

,  47  ;  driven  to  eniigrn- 

128  ;    lo88  of  to    coni- 

.)ert,  108. 

cursion,  Indian  laslHon, 


(rup,7,335,  3!30;  ce.ru- 
mtives   falsely  accused 

)n  from  New  England, 

9. 

unierous  and  powerful, 
isit  Enjrland,  36  ;    vjo.. 
f.n,  39  ;  costume  oi,  39; 
i  return  from  Enjxhind, 
net   in    Dutch    church, 
)eeches  of,  preserved ,  41 ; 
s  made   by,   57  ;  goods 
-;  demoralized,  09;  infiu- 
-('f  the  French  over,  70  ; 
usticated,      70 ;      wig- 
87  ;  manufactures.  87  ; 
sins,  etc.,   87;    occupa- 
of,  88,  93  ;  boys,  occu- 
lts  of,   88;    treated    ne- 
with     contempt,     89  ; 
ytes,    90;    manners    cf 
rts,    91;    traffic  of  the 


Indians, 

women,  92  ;  women  i)lanters, 
93;  castles,  93;  men,  tlieir 
pursuits,  93  ;  yirls,  iiow  occu- 
pied, 9;{ ;  never  atl'ected  witli 
cutaiieoii.s  diseases,  i)l! ;  reli 
frious  bejiet',  94  ;  wives,  tlieir 
servants,  94;  causes  of  lios 
tilily  amonji',  10.1;  wars,  how 
accounted  tor,  lOd  ;  rested  at 
the  Flats,  1 19;  stimulated  to 
acts  of  violence,  122  ;  con- 
<,'ress  at  .Mliany,  123,  127; 
{gratitude  ol,  l.S!  ;  danger  ol 
meetinif,  129;  prisontM's,  i;!() ; 
falsely  cluirtri'd  with  idleness, 
134 ;  disairection  of,  UJ.l ; 
vanity  of  oniaiuents,  l::<i  ; 
natural  traits,  111  ;  inditler- 
ence  to  i)ossessi()iis,  142  ;  dex- 
teiiiy  with  tlie  tomahawk, 
143  ;  ert'ect  of  li(|uor  ui)on, 
143,  144;  tlieir  occupations, 
143,  141  ;  tlieir  independence. 
Ikjw  first  diiuinished,  144  ; 
beads,  tiieir  contcmiit  for, 
14");  iinw  aft'ected  by  licpior, 
147;  small  pox  amony,  I4y; 
attractions  of  tlieir  mode  of 
life,  148  ;  influence  of  ndi^fion 
u|(on,  l.")l,  1.12  ;  prayinjr  mi- 
lioii,  1;')2  ;  attached  by  con- 
version, M;},  MS;  loyal  to 
Kinir  (Jeorf^e,  15;i  ;  sjieech  to 
^lons.  Harre,  1.14  ;  neolcct  of, 
by  soldiers,  1(11  ;  benefitted  by 
Sir  Wni.  .Johnson,  218 ;  as 
numafred  by  Pliilij)  Schuyler, 
104  ;  missionary,  230,  237  ; 
Pontiac  war,  271,  272,  273, 
274,  275,  289;  tribes  in  upper 
lake  country,  273;  French 
Bubtilty  amoii<;,273  ;  supfilied 
with  firearms,  273;  in  alliance 
with  French,  274  ;  attack 
kin(r'.s  ship,  279;  Canadian, 
Mohawks  hostile  to,  281  ; 
Huron  territory,  282  ;  sudden 
death  of,  2S;j ;  war,  ch)se  of, 
289  ;  exclianir<q)risoners,  290  ; 
jfrants,  314  ;  treated  with  pro- 
bity, 303  ;  converted,  304  ; 
Mohawks,  307. 


Indian  traders,  02,  04.  O.l ;  food  of, 
00  ;  lianlsliips  of,  0.1,  00  ;  sue 
cess  of ,  70,  IS.1  ;  r-'turnof,  71  ; 
marriajj;e  of, 71  ;  laniiliesresi 
dent.  87. 

Inoculation,  aversion  to,  l^s7. 

Inscription,  '.»1. 

Insects,  1 1(1  ;  noxious,    187. 

lntermarria;res,  198. 

Introduction,  23. 

Invernaliyle,  !). 

Ireland,  part  of  .l.lili  sent  to.  294. 

Irish  yentleiuan.  243. 

1  i'o(|uois,  ;>i. 

Island,  HrecUers  and  llillhoiise's, 
99.  10(1;  in  swamp,  ;i'J7. 

Jamaica,  commerce  with,  Is;!. 

•hflVey,  l''riuicis,  7,  14. 

.lolinson,  l)r.,  proteye  of  ;!4  ;  (iiiv, 
237;  Hall.  219;  Sir  .lolin, 
323,  ;!0S  ;  .Sir  \\ni.,  his  jmr- 
chases  an(!  houses.  218;  his 
style  of  liviny,219  ;  his  wives 
and  (lauj^diters,  "J'JO ;  j^ovi'm- 
in'ss,  221  ;  Ills  lands  on  On- 
tario, 210.  215,210,  217,  271, 
274. 

Jonker  straat,  coasting  parties, 
79,  SO. 

King  (leorge,  Indian  loyalty  to, 
1.1:>  ;  William,  27. 

Iving  (ieorge's  ground,  ;514. 

King's  arms  tavern,  81  :  si^jii 
burnt,  82  ;  highway,  99. 

Kiiowledjre,  jirogress  of,  89. 

Kromine  kil,  ;{03. 

L— ,  Isanc,  244. 

La^r^ran  parish,  1 1. 

Lake  (hitario,  251  ;  return  from, 
201  ;  Superior  Indians,  273. 

Lakes,  commander  of  the,  277. 

Languages  ac(iuired  by  settlers, 
;52. 

Lajilanders,  Thomson's,  ISOO. 

Law  suits  for  land  claims,  314, 
315. 

Lawyers,  incursion  of,  313,  316. 

Lay  brothers,  83,  84. 

Leases  to  settlers,  30. 

Lee,  Captain,  225  ;  bad  conduct  of, 
220  ;  penitent,  230. 

Legacy  of  Historical  Gleanings, 
270. 


II ;  1 


i>iim)\ 


374 


Index. 


liCjririns,  87. 
lifiiox,  MiH.,  .'{4. 

JiftttTs  fnnii    tlic  Mountiviiis,   11, 
l:i. 

liCxicDii,  WiHtrrlo'H,  2ii(!. 

liivinjf,  cxiii'iisivc  styli'ot',  iJOd. 

IiiviMj,'st(iii  t'ainilii's,  lO'J. 

lidcluiusidc,  ',i'A'2. 

I,nliir|llllllr<,   \'.t,    \H. 

Ijoiidnii,      liDi'il,     (■oiiiniiiiidcr     of 
toiccs,  2H). 

Louis  xiv,  '.')'). 

I/oiiisbiniri;  ruptured,  270. 

]>'ivf,  iiiiiiiircslHlioMs  of  peculiar, 
(11,  7','. 

Lovelace,  OoviTiior.  lOH. 

Lowell,  .Miss,  i;!  ;  John,  Hi. 

Luinher  tor  West  Indies,  1S4. 

Luudic;,  Col.  Duncan,  '2-)'2. 

Lvdiiis,  (leertruy  isabellu,  205; 
John,  'JO.'). 

Mackenzie,  Henry,  14,  IS,  1!). 

Maiiicuns,  -'(). 

Manhattan,  settled,  27,  2S. 

Manners,  7;{;  it  t\u',  Flats,  44; 
(leran<fed,  1!)7  ;  of  the  pco|>lc 
ridiculed,  1<»2. 

Manor,  dimensions  of,  2!). 

Maria,  her  proireny,  178,  17!). 

Marianiat,  :>04. 

Marian,  ;!0(),  ;!0(!,  ;527,  ^38. 

^[arkets,  absiuice  of,  1!)0 

Marriage,  a  hartoainiisenient,  81  ; 
reasons  for  rejectin<r,  l;52. 

Miirriajres,  72  ;  early,  02  ;  unau- 
tliorizod,  (14. 

M">rlins,  308  ;  disappouranco  of, 
118. 

Massacliusotts  settlers,  314. 

Mass»!y,  ('apt.,  34. 

May  foliafie,  341. 

Mavor  of   Albany,    first,   37  ;    J. 
'  Schuyler,  120. 

McVickar,  Duncan,  9,10;  settlod 
in  Vermont,  10  ;  Ida  family, 
300,  30!);  rheumatic,  318;  20 
milt!  line  int,>rferes  \vith,  321  ; 
resolves  to  r  'turn  to  Scotland, 
!i32,  334;  notice  of,  339;  em- 
ployment of,  286  ;  subaltern 
rtrn'h  refit.,  244. 

Memoirs  of  American  Lady  begun, 
13  ;  editions  of,  14. 


240; 


Michillimnrkinnc  fort  built,  273. 

.Military  camped  at  the  Flats,  119, 
123  ;  preparations,  120 

.Missiotniry,  Indian,  230,  237. 

.Moccasins,  87. 

Mockini;l)ir(ls,  307. 

Mohawk  river,  31  ;  scenery, 

sprouts  of,  05  ;  carrying;  places, 
O.")  ;  Indians,  ciuiracter  of,  32. 

Mohawks,  3."),  3!l,l^'(i ;  furs  broufrht 
by,  05;  protection  sought, 
104  ;  boundaries  never  vio- 
lated, 105  ;  their  regard  for 
Justice,  100  ;  fidelity  of,  120  ; 
inlluenceot  Christianity  upon, 
158;  a  defence,  215',  2Ui ; 
anointed  with  bear's  jrrease, 
187  ;  removed  to  Canada,  307, 
308. 

Money,  scarcity  of,  183. 

Montague,  Lady  Rlary,  !>f. 

Moore,  Sir  Henry.  2!»!».  300. 

Morals  founded  on  Chiistianity,  02. 

Mus(|uitf)es,  07. 

Muel,  Susanna,  107,300. 

Mulatto,   sinj^le   instance   of, 
farm  allotted  to,  55. 

Munro,  John,  321,334,  343. 

Munsell's   Historical   Series, 
270,  277,  281. 

Mutiny  of  tlu!  army,  271. 

Myrtle,  berrybearinjJT,  00. 

Nantz,  edict  of,  353. 

Ne<froes,  51  ;  excellent  training;  of, 
52  ;  uses  of,  77  ;  characteristics 
of  178;  employments,  183; 
Gen.  Schuyler's,  287  ;  supe- 
riors of,  304  ;  engafjeraent  not 
to  Si'll,  305. 

New  Kngland  frontiers,  defence 
of,  123,  peoplt!,  their  motives 
for  emigration,  127;  family 
uncongenial,  303;  mission- 
aries, 237. 

New  Hampshire  immigrants,  309, 
310  ;  soldiers,  Indian  contempt 
for,  159. 

New  York  a  barrier  for  the  south- 
ern colonies,  35  ;  arrival  at, 
341  ;  colonists,  characteristics 
of,  127;  distance  of,  33  ;  ex- 
cliange(i,  28  ;  disputed  bound- 
ary, 343  ;  line,  314,  320,  331  ; 


55, 


''42 


Index. 


375 


iiiiftc  Ibrt  biiiU,  973. 
,u-il  at  tlif  FliitH,  IrJ, 
■nivratioiiH,  l-t> 
Indian.  'i'M,  2557. 
7. 

•c1h,:K)7. 

.,,r,  :n  ;  Hccncry,  24b  , 
.,f,'(jr);nirryiMKl'liiw8, 
liiuis,  chuvuctfrol,  .5-. 

,  •'  prott'ction  fioiiU'/t, 
.mnularicH  ncv.T  vio- 
10.-,;  tli.-ir  r.'U«rtl  |or 
IU();  luli'lity  ot,  UU  ; 
'nM.tChristiaiuty  upon, 
a  (l.-f.-nco,  215.  21(.  ; 
,,,1  with  bi-av's  Krt-asij. 
.•muvi'd  to  Canada,  .507, 

iri'ity  of,  1H3. 

Lady  Mary.'.'t. 

Henry,  2!ti»,  'M). 
ndcdiinChiii^tianity.GS. 

^,  07. 

anna,  107.  306.  ^^ 

LintjU'   inHtance   ot,   o.), 
Ln.Tttt'd  to,  sr). 
hn,;331.334,34;3. 
Historical   Series,   ^4<J, 

the  army,  2(1. 

rrylx'aring,  00. 
ict  of,  3.-):}.  . 

[il-  excellent  traimnjj  of, 

',esof,77;charucterislica 

i,S  •   emph)vmenta,   loo  , 

Srhuyler'rt,  287;   supe- 

Lf,  ;]()4  ;  engagement  not 

1,  30.5.  ,   - 

Tland  frontiers,  detence 
^5  l)e()i)le,  their  motives 
migration,  127;  family 
'icrenial,    302;    raission- 

237. 
iipahire  immigrants,  30i), 
Lidiers,  Indian  contempt 

1 59 

k  a  barrier  for  the  south- 
colonies,  30 ;  arrival  at, 
colonists,  characti-nstics 
127  ;  distance  ot,  33  ;  ex- 
Lred,  28  ;  disputed  bound- 
1343  ;  line,  314,  320,  321  ; 


I 


New  York, — 

mamiers,  108  ;  governor,  108  ; 

provincials,    I'M);    State    Li 

l)rary,242  ;  state  of  society  at, 

A'} :  Visit  to,  i:i(»,  i;'>2 
Niagara,  jrnnieiiing  ut,  200. 
North   America  reduced   by  (freat 

Hritain,  270. 
O'Calhiglmn.Dr.  K.  H,,242. 
OfHce,  insulenre  of,  ii)(). 
OHicers  entertained,  l;{4. 
Otl'spring,  love  of,  131. 
Oj-ilvie,  John.  23(1,  237,  301. 
Oneida  lake,  {')')  ;  outh't,2()2. 
()nei(his,  IJ.j. 
Onoiidagoes,  JiiT. 

Onontliio,  definition  of,  l.-)2,  l.-)4. 
Outarii)  lake,  (1.")  ;  lands  owned  hy 

Sir  Wni.  Johnson,  274. 
Orplnins  adoi)t(;d,  84. 
Oswi'gd,  0."< ;  ij.^tli  Kejrt  .  stationed 

at,  244;  Britisli  station  at,  10; 

conipiest  of,  235  ;  ^ardeninjr 

at,2.-)S  ;  pursuits  at,  2.50  ;  rigor 

of  winter  at,  2.53,  25,5  ;   return 

from,     201  ;    taken     by    the 

French, 215. 
Otaheitans,  low-minded,  38. 
Uughton,  Adoljdius,  23'J. 
Oranieiiburg,  20. 
Paintings,  family,  205. 
Palatines  driven  to    emigration, 

128. 
Paradise    liost,   10  ;  <iuoted   from, 

207. 
Parental  reverence,  02. 
Parish  schools,  a  blessing,  284. 
Parkman's  Pontiac,  281. 
Particular  History  of  the  French 

and  Indian  War,  124. 
Parties  of  ])leasure,  170. 
Pasture,  49 ;  army  encamped  in, 

Paternity,  joys  of,  131. 
Patroon,  the,' 29  ;  seat  of,  98. 
Paulding,  J.  K.,  7. 
Peace   congress   at   Albany,  290; 

interval  of,  135;  proclaimed, 

204. 
Pedr(mi,213,243;  hislovaltv.  303, 

300;  his  house,  '^41. 
Peltry,  traffic  i",2l9. 
Penn,  William,  oo9,  300,  302. 


Pennsvlvania,  luick    frontiers  di'- 

feiided.  123. 
Pensacola,  55th  sent  to,  294. 
Pliillipse,  manor  of,  I'O, 
IMiiiosopliy,  not  understood,  .51. 
Pigeons,  niuliitude  of,  (iO,  (il. 
I'iants.  viirieiy  of,  ;{2S, 
Plays  introduced,  1!)H. 
Phitus,  {''ninklin    the   apostle  of, 

3.53. 
Poets  and  i'oetry  of  Scotland,  14. 
Popular  Models,  etc.,  15. 
I'orticos  to  lioiises,  49. 
Primitive  hahits  and    usages,  49. 
Prince,  his  dexterity,  17H. 
Prisoners  exchanged,  290. 
I'rivateers,  ;!15 
Protestant  immigrants,  12M. 
Provincial  military  service  limited 

to  summer,  123. 
Pruyn,  John  V.  !..  ,5,  308. 
t^uiu'kawary,  350. 
ciuakers,  302. 
(Quebec,  mutiny  at,  271. 
(^ueeii  of  Hearts,  270. 
liuidiliT.  107, 

IJachel,  dextrous  cook,  178. 
Uafts    <jf     lumber,    324  ;    floated 

down  the  Hudson,  288. 
l^attlesnakes,  (i7. 
Iteading  taught,  42, 
Recruiting  otlicer  enacted,  200. 
i{efinement,  its  (Concomitants,  180. 
Reflections,  ;)45. 
Regiment,   new,  arrival    of,   1!)2  ; 

(piartered,  194,  190. 
Religion,    effect   of,    149;   among 

the    settlers,   45  ;    venerated, 

195  ;  power  of,  140. 
Religious  zeal  of  immigrants,  127. 
Rensselaer  families,  109  (see  Van 

Rinissiclaer). 
Revolution,  im|iending,  300,  309, 

312,  :W2,  333. 
Riding  down  hill,  79. 
River,  breaking  u]),  7,  335,  330  ; 

navijration,   28,    29  ;  scenery, 

47  ;  voyage,   a   week's   dura- 
tion, 340. 
Rome,  statues  in,  140. 
Royal  Americans,  192. 
Roy,  James,  330. 
Roy's  Wife  of  Aldivalloch,  9. 


M 


f 


Tl 


h      I  ! 


370 


Index. 


Haw  iiiillH  built,  ;J21,;i2:J. 

Sciil|>s  of  udviTH*!  mitiiiriH,  1;I0. 

Sniiidiil,  m"),  '2m. 

yciiiira,  Indian  narun  tor  liquor, 
I  »r). 

Scenery  of  tin;  river,  47. 

Wflieneclady,  arrival  at,  2  10  ;  ris 
in;;  town,  'Mr). 

SchoonerH,  cedar,  71, 

Seluiyler,  Aunt,  1:5,  42.  Hf),  HO,  1'24  ; 
her  nepliewH  loyal,  ;U2  ;  a 
lin<^uist,  {)')  ;  her  acconijiiish- 
inentH,  ilO  ;  her  iTUirriaj;e,  !)7, 
1)8;  <lie.l,;{42;  her  jrrave,  214. 

Schuyler,  houwery,  21:1. 

Scluivler  brothers,  107;  twinH, 
i07. 

Schuyler  Catalina,  42  (wee  Cata- 
liiui). 

Schuvler  ceniettTV,  Hi). 

Schuyi.'r,  Cornelia,  170.  171. 

Schuvler  Cornelius,  2;!!(. 

Schuvler,  Corthindt,  2:{H,  2;j!).  280, 

•i'.t."),  :}04,  ;!40,  ;{42. 

Schuyler,  den.  I'iiilip,  sent  to 
IOnL''lan<l,  IdO ;  ret'erenc(!  to, 
ISO;  coadjutor  of  Hradstreet, 
210;  tiouse  Ituitt  hy,  242  ;  at 
tained  wealth,  280  ;  houses  in 
Albany,  287 ;  estaliliHiiineiit 
nt  Saratoga,  287,  2S8,  2i»r) ; 
Gov.  Moore  visits,  299 ;  al- 
luded to,  104,  2:5:5,  2:58,  ;5;54. 

Schuvler,  Jeremiah,  102,  107,100, 
i09,  170. 

Schuvler,  Johannes,  JM,  42;  niavor 
120. 

Schuyler,  Johannes,  Jr  ,  280. 

Schuvler,  John  and  Phili|>,  :il. 

Schuyler,  JohnC  .,  111,241. 

ScIiuvNt,  Madame, ;54. 

Schuyler,  Peter,  102,  107,  JUO ; 
(lescnbed,  10r),170  ;  visits  En^ 
land,  ;}0,  ;57 ;  his  portniit 
])ainted,  ',]7 ;  declines  to  be 
kniorhted,  ;}8 ;  return  of,  40, 
97  ;  known  as  Quidder,  107  ; 
colonel,  122. 

Schuyh^r,  Col.  Philip,  married, 
107;  his  monument,  97,  109; 
his  barn,  110-19;  his  charac- 
teristics and  influence,  121  ; 
first  to  raise  a  corps  in  the  in- 


Schuyler  Col.  Philip, 

terior,  12:5  ;  as  a  leader,  \'.]()  ; 
member  of  colonial  assembly, 
1152  ;  his  military  partiality, 
l:t:5 ;  death  of,  208  ;  re^^ard  for 
his  slaves,  209  ;  characteristicH 
of.  10;t  ;  allusion  to,  7,  1:5, 
109  ;  his  posterity  republi- 
can, :142. 

Schuyler,  Pliilip  Petersen,  :54. 

Schuvler,  Stephen,  2i:i,  241. 

Schuylers.  27,  28,  ;tO,  ;J2,  100  ; 
visited  Now  York  annually, 
47. 

Science,  a  ^fod-liko  «'nlar;(ement  of 
human  powers,  182. 

Scottish  peasants,  religious  habits 
ot,  28."). 

Scotlaiul.  benefit  of  parisli  schools, 
284, 

Scott,  Walter,  7,  14,  18,  19. 

Selkirk,  l,ord,;500. 

Si'uecas,  ;5r). 

Serp.'uis,  {)7,  5525,  830. 

S(;rvants,  white,  ex|)ensivc,  I5.'51. 

Servitude,  reflections  on,  ol  ;  in 
FiUrope  contrasted,  ry.',. 

Settlers  tarried  at  the  Flats,  119. 

Shaftsbury,  ;5:59. 

Shak((speare,  ;524. 

Shirley,  (Jov.,  his  activity,  124. 

Slavery,  no  .scruples  a<rainst,  /54. 

Slave.H,  .")();  <;;ently  treated,  .Tl  ; 
presented  tocliildren,  52  ;  de- 
lM)rtment  of,  178,  180  ;  thei'- 
employments,  18:5  ;  stubborn, 
184  ;  (irend  of  being  sold,  555  ; 
how  reared,  51. 

Slei^ji-ridiny,  78. 

Sloop  naviy:ation,  28,  29. 

Siuall-pox,  fatality  of,  .59,  187. 

Snow,  depth  of,  59. 

Soldiers,  ]irofanity  of,  248. 

Southey,  Robert,  7. 

Spanish  war.  :515. 

Sparrows  introduced,  111. 

Spartan  usa^e.  80,  81,  83. 

Spectator,  the,  ;57. 

Slotted  fever,  170. 

Scpiirrels,  varie'v  of,  ;537. 

Stadtholder.  27,  28,  83,  35. 

Staten  Island,  341. 

Statues,  number  of  in  Rome,  140. 


I\i»i;n. 


5577 


,,t''col.)i»iul  iiHrtfinltly, 
H  luUitarv  i>iirtiiUity. 
vtl((.f.'i»>8:n-Kiin\fnr 
,a  -M)'.!  ■  chanK'ttriHticH 
■  ulliiHion  to.  I,  l'|. 
is    poHtiTity    rcpubh- 

J.  ... 

hilii)  l'.a.TS<-n.  .54. 

27    "28,  :!(>,   :5-i.  1')'' ; 
"n'iiw   York  luimmlly, 


r.uMikf  .•nlaryfi"i-'"t  ot 

[  noWlTH,  182. 

iiHftntfl,  reriKiouH  habitfl 
lenetitofliarirtliaclioolH, 

t(.r.7.  11,18,  !•.). 
urd,  ;515<>- 

(•,7  ir^.'),  !V2r.. 

whitf.  <.xiH-nsivP.j5.51. 
I   rtitlcctioiifl  oi^.^  '>i  '-  '" 

)(•  contvftstfil.  ")■.!. 

rri.-a  at  the  Flats,  110. 

y,  ;5;5U. 

I„v.,hi8  activity,  1:J4. 

,„  ^cvuph'W  a<xauirtt   .)4. 

()•    ,.vutlv    tv»'atc(l,   .)1  ; 

nt'.'(rtociril(lren,r)2;  <li- 

,..ntof,  ITH.    iyO;tlu-.- 

,vni.-nts,  I8i}  ;  stubborn, 

(ircad  of  being  soUl.  -J.5 ; 

litiirt'd,  T)!. 

iiijj:,  '^J^- 
ignition,  28,  20. 

fatality  of,  ;50,  18 <• 

,'thof,  TO. 

Profanity  ot,  2-18. 

Robi-rt,  7. 

ivar,  :nr). 

introilncca,  Ui. 
|isat>'c.  80,  81,  82. 

,  tlu',  '-^7. 

■vi'V.  170. 
,  varie'v  of,  ;?27. 
Icr.  27,  28,  32,  '3r>. 
llaml,  341. 

luimber  of  in  Rome,  14U. 


Slatn<'<,  number  of  in  l{o;uc,  I  10. 

Si.  ( 'lair  rivi-r,  (m. 

Sti'ulinjr,  UH  an  aniuHfnii'nt,HO,  81, 

82. 
Stt'cnlioi'k  kil,l():l ;  location  of,(M. 
Stuwart  family,  !). 
Stillwater  immi;,M'aiitH,  '.Vi'.i. 
St.  liawrence,  marcli  up  the,  2*»2. 
Stockadi'  erecli'il,  2!>. 
Stoiiehook,  III:;. 
Streets  of  Alliauy,  -18. 
Stuart,  John,  2;!7. 
Sturyeoii,  scasim  of,  (II. 
Suhalteru's  pay,  its  aile<iim('y,  133. 
Su;,'nr,  West   India,  74. 
Sumac,  102. 

Summer  amiiseinentH,  !i()(i. 
Surinam   awarded  to   the  Dutcli, 

28. 
Susan,  sister,  103,  1(17  (see  Muet). 
Swallows,  1 18  ;  nests  3(I(J,  :j<)8. 
Sv.amp,  32(1. 
Swedish  elii,MUeer,  217. 
Tea,  a  rejjaie,  74. 
Ten  Hroeks,  27. 
'I'heutre  litted  iij),  108. 
Ticouderoira,  defeat  at,  227-233, 

23i>  2.')2. 
Titus,  178,  181. 
Toha<fo  captured,  232. 
Toimajre  of  sloops,  28,  29. 
Trade,  laniruishmeiit  of,  315. 
Traders  killed,  104. 
Trei)  froj;,  113. 
Trees,    moth;    of    plantinfT,     40  ; 

variety  of,  (57  ;  elms  and  syca- 
mores, 11.5. 
Trinity  church,  rector  of,  33(1. 
Trois  Uevieres,  2(i3. 
Trettiufif  c<nirse,  {)!). 
Twiii^rht,  absenc(i  of  113., 
ITpper  Camula,  Mohawks  romoved 

to,  3(18. 
Upper  lakes,  Indian  war   of  the 

271. 
Van  Cortlandts,  27,  28. 
V.uiCortiandt,  Cornelia,  28(1. 
Vanderpoolen,  Mrs.,  135. 


\'aii   I'ensselaer,  Cornelius,    313  •. 

mansion,     2  It  ;     Maria,     Hi' ; 

burial  vault,  213. 
Van  ifensHelaers,  27,  20,  lOi). 
Van  Scluiick's  island,  fortified,  0."). 
V'ejretuble  pmduets,   1."),  4(). 
Veiiisnn,  aliundani'e,  ol  183,  2.')7. 
Vermont,  oriein  uf,  ;M  |. 
Vienna,  paradise  of  old  women,!)!. 
Voice  of  Coiia,  2(». 
W — .  '^'iss,  :!22.3t2. 
Wallace  \Vi^ri,t,2.')l. 
NN'ampuni  prefirred  to  beails,  1  Id. 
Warrior,  relractory,  121. 
Waverly     novels,     attributed     to 

.Mrs.  (iraut,  14. 
Welwood's  .Memoirs,  2."il. 
Wend. '11,  Moston  .Merchant,  312  : 

.Mrs,  332. 
NVest  India  trade,  2(i(!. 
Westminster,  peace  of,  28. 
West  Troy,  3-1,3; !0. 
Westerlo,  Kilardus,  23."). 
Weyman,  printer,  1!J5. 
Wii'ite  creek,  33'J. 
White  Plains,  battlo  of,  2')0. 
Whiltintfton  and  his  cat,  132. 
Wiywams  at  the  Flats,  120,  123, 
Wilson,.lames(irant,l!(;  William, 

18. 
Winils,  southern,  00. 
Winepress,  commands  fort,  201. 
Winter  anui.-<eniei\ts,  78  ;  severity, 

of,  318. 
Winters,  coldess  of,  IjO. 
Wolfe,  (ieiieral,  23."). 
Wolf,  stratajfem  of,  181. 
Wolves,  21!) ;  American,  07  ;  (ires 

to  |)rotect  ae:ainst,  250;  pre- 
valence of,  43. 
Women,  mere  slaves  where  men 

are  hunters,  !)5. 
Wood  creek,  248  ;  obstructions  in, 

24!). 
Woodrannrir,  i)ractica!,  2.')0. 
Wood  sparrow,  111. 
Wrens,  115. 
Wynant'skil,  00. 


48 


